“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love.
So often as human beings we are terrified of being seen. Just standing tall and walking into a room can be enough to make us nervous. Why is it that we are afraid of being who we are and being the best version of who we are? Often times, instead of allowing ourselves to be bright we unconsciously (and if we are honest) sometimes consciously choose to dim our lights. We may gain weight to avoid relationships, we may not look or dress our best to avoid being seen or talked about, we may not share our feelings because we’re afraid of how we are going to be perceived, we may not choose to take a job we really want out of fear of not being good enough. In a sense we may do all of these things because in some ways it’s safer. It is the easier way because it enables us not to truly show up for ourselves and our lives whole-heartedly. If we play small we get to keep our masks on, we can make excuses for ourselves and for the most part it can actually be comfortable living this way. However, the truth is that at the essence of who you are and in every human being, there is a greatness, a boldness, a light that is bright and it is our right to embrace it and share it. When we neglect that right we are in so many ways dishonoring ourselves and who we truly are. God gave us each gifts, these gifts are specific and special to what we are meant to do here on this earth, to neglect or not share ourselves is to neglect the gift.
“Today I want you to ask yourself this one question. “Why not you?” Why not you to do something for work that you love? Why not you to have a healthy body? Why not you to have healthy love? Why not you to be, have, or do anything you have ever dreamed? We are so quick to think others are deserving over ourselves. The truth is that we are all deserving so why not you?” ~Jillian Michaels
Each one of us has within us the power to live a full life. This life is the perfect place to have everything you have ever wanted. But the choice is yours. Your playing small does not serve the world. So go, burn bright, be who you are, and be proud. Stand tall and let your light shine because guess what? The world needs it.