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.**
~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love
Believe it not, as a young girl, I loved doing homework.
I know, call me crazy, but there were payoffs:
~ I loved the feeling of getting something accomplished (still do)
~ I had an innate love of learning that was never quite satisfied (still have it)
~ I liked getting gold stars.
Do you remember getting those small foil gold stars on your papers in school? Gosh, how my heart danced with glee when there was at least one gold star at the top.
What would you give yourself a gold star for today?
What did you do right? What are you proud of yourself for?
As human beings we may focus more on what is going wrong in our lives than what is going right. As women, we often self-deprecate, self-criticize, and turn down compliments. We do not toot our own horn. Many of us were taught that doing so, in fact, was unladylike.
As we embody our truest selves more and more each day, it is good and wise to focus on our brilliance. Not from an ego standpoint, mind you, but as a stepping stone to embracing ourselves as the women we are meant to be.
Giving ourselves gold stars is an important act of self-affirmation, self-acceptance. It says, 'Good job, lady, keep on keepin' on!
So, this is my challenge for you today.
What can you give yourself a gold star for?And while you're at it, why stop at one? How about 2 or 3, or a whole paper full.
I'm eager to hear how you are shining!
I'll begin ...
(**To read this poem, "Everyday Grace" in its entirety, visit M. Williamson's website: www.marianne.com)
