Learning to Let the Light In

“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: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

I have always been drawn to this quote. It feels like the story of my life. Our monkey mind is really great at making up excuses as to why we shouldn't be living up to our potential. Listening to these lies doesn't serve anyone. When you are living your truth, you may make some people uncomfortable because you become a mirror for the other person and reveal to them that they are not living up to their potential and that is an uncomfortable truth that they may not be ready to face, and may never want to face...ever...and it's not your job to make them face it either. (I have certainly felt this way towards friends who are living their truth more fully than me and I KNOW it's really really not a nice feeling!)

They may lash out at you in order to keep you down so that they no longer need to feel uncomfortable around you. This may mean that you will lose people in your life who you thought would always be there. Maybe they will come back into your life, maybe not, but you have to be true to yourself first. Your playing small will not serve these people you love in the long run. Shrinking yourself in order to make others feel more comfortable around you will lead you to be unhappy and resentful in the long run. It will lead to toxicity in your relationships.

The hope is that over time, these people will be able to see that you are not meaning to hurt them, but you are honoring yourself and be inspired by you to more fully live their truth. If someone is jealous of you it means that there is some incongruence within them and a knowing that they are not fully showing up for themselves in life. (I've totally felt this!) Thing is, if they are unwilling to be honest with themselves about this, they will lash out at you and try to cut you down to stop the uncomfortable feelings. It's not about you.

A PRACTICE TO TRANSCEND THE BULLSHIT PEOPLE ARE THROWING AT YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE FOLLOWING YOUR BLISS AND ROCKING AT LIFE AND

BEING A FUCKING BADASS:

OK. First of all, give yourself a mental pat on the back for being willing to be true to yourself. GOOD JOB!!! Ok. Now, think about how much more fulfilled, happy and at peace you are now. Would you really be willing to give that up just to please someone else? I'm guessing not. Ok, good. Now, don't you want that for these other people? Sure ya do! The best thing you can do, is get yourself to a place of neutrality and compassion whenever you are communicating with anyone who feels threatened by you. Relating from a place of reaction doesn't serve either of you.

Take a moment and visualize them stepping into their truth and living their purpose. Hold a vision of them laughing, heart-open and fully present. Smile. What does that feel like to see them so fully present, engaged and fulfilled? What does it feel like to see them fully living up to their potential?! Feel that. You can even imagine them sitting in front of you. Tell them what you wish for them and tell them that you understand what they are going through. Feel compassion for them. Let them know you accept them for who they are right now. Breathe. Let go of any attachment you have to them being able to be there for you in the way that you wish they could. Smile and thank them for the opportunity they have given you to practice selfless compassion.

Now, what is one thing you can do today to serve this person? How can you show that you honor them and accept them where they are at, it doesn't need to be actually directed at this person and maybe it shouldn't be because maybe they are so triggered by you that any communication from you would make them upset even if it is positive. No, this is for you because selfless service is always good and a great way to get out of your own head. Maybe it's sending a message of gratitude to someone who has helped you lately or who you appreciate. Maybe it is continuing to invest in yourself and your craft/ gifts whatever that may be. Dedicate a song to them. Cook a dinner for someone in need. Whatever makes you come alive and helps you show up more authentically in the world. Go do that and LET IT GO.

Don't let whatever this person has said or done to you stay in your mind and drag you down. If you do allow it to stay in your mind, this is just your ego using that as an excuse to hold you down. Your ego is afraid to allow you to really truly know how powerful you are. Go back and read the quote at the top of this post and then shut your computer and go be amazing!!!!! <3

#relationships #consciousfriendships #personalevolution #MarianneWilliamson #goodquotes #howtoliveyourtruth #friendship