Last week, I was talking with one of my closest friends about how we wanted this new year to be. We were discussing our plans and the ways we wanted to grow professionally. I looked at her and said I was beyond excited to see all that we could accomplish, but I was overcome with a flood of fear. I pulled out my phone and read the following quote to her:
“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
I am not afraid of what I can’t do. I am more afraid of all that I can do. Succeeding at anything often puts a target on your back for others to criticize rather than encourage, and who wants that? Too many people would rather see others fail than do what they need to do to be successful, especially girls. I looked at my friend after reading this quote and vowed that I would not be afraid of my light, and I hope all of you follow suit.
Our talents and abilities all vary, but within each of us is the potential to be great, and as Marianne Williamson said, who are you not to be? It takes letting go of the fear of all you can be and what people will say because of it. It matters more what you think of yourself than what others do. You’re the one who will have to live with the regrets and “what ifs.” I can guarantee though that you’ll never regret going after what you want. It gives you strength and shows others that they, too, can be everything they want to be.
This year, I won’t be afraid of my light. I won’t take myself out of the game because I am afraid of what I am capable of and the commentary that’s going on around me. I sincerely hope you all do the same. If it’s in your heart and you know you can do it, go for it. We are all powerful beyond measure.
Go be great,
EP