“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)
I think we have all experienced times in our lives when we felt good about ourselves, received a promotion, learned happy news (an engagement, a baby on her way, etc.) or generally felt an inner contentment…only to at the same time feel guilty for our joy or the need to hide our good news out of fear that our good feeling would be either taken away or cause others discomfort. Please do not feel you must hide your light if there are those who feel such scarcity in their lives that they request you diminish your light, joy, or pursuit of joy in order to make themselves feel better. ie: misery + company. Those who base their identity around scarcity and lack are trapped in a very dark shadow indeed. At some point in our lives, I would even venture to say we were that same shadow dweller.
A friend, one who loves another, would only feel happy for your joy; not happy for your lack. “Hey, why don’t you suffer more so that I can feel better”. Doesn’t sound very loving, does it? Be thankful that you are being released from this moment in their unfolding story so that you can let your light shine without shame. Joy is our purpose on this planet.
I think it’s just bad business to diminish the good to accommodate another’s low self esteem. Those on the abundant life path will be encouraged by one another’s good fortune.
I hope this helps bring you peace.
And please, no more shrinking. Stand to your full height and the giants among you will rise with you.
Hugs on the journey,
T
Comment
thank you for this post, tiffany. this message is one that should be shouted from the mountain tops or one that’s delivered in a breaking news story.. i could not agree more. i feel that when were children living with that child like wonder and feeling free is who we truly are. it’s when that wonder is overshadowed by the message to not “speak too loud, don’t be weird, you’re too pretty, fat, ugly, too talented, not good enough, etc..” we retreat into our selves and live more through our ego than our spirit. i hope that this year is more about honoring our spirit, our light and to just love one another. and above all, like you said, SHINE!
xo, zara