Playing Small
"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 enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you." Marianne Williamson
I've spent almost four decades trying to downplay my strengths. I have some theories on why this is, but the main reason is so I don't draw attention to myself or as the quote says make others feel unsure about themselves. Then I realized that not using my talents to the best of my abilities has been robbing myself and those around me.
My husband and I joke that the things that annoy us the most about our children at this age will be what make them successful adults. It was with that line of reasoning that I approached the latest dilemma with our child and school. I took one of his annoying characteristics, something that obviously drives him and challenged him to put that to work in the classroom. So far the results have been staggering!
Which brings me back to what Marianne Williamson says. We say our time is precious, I've challenged myself to use every minute to it's fullest, then I must do the same with the talents that God has given me. Two choices, Play small or be fabulous.....
Play small and don't garner attention, or be fabulous and make a difference in the world. Play small so others don't feel unsure about themselves or be fabulous so that others can draw strength from your boldness. Play small so that everything stays the same, or be brilliant and force change. The choice today is simple......
I've spent almost four decades trying to downplay my strengths. I have some theories on why this is, but the main reason is so I don't draw attention to myself or as the quote says make others feel unsure about themselves. Then I realized that not using my talents to the best of my abilities has been robbing myself and those around me.
My husband and I joke that the things that annoy us the most about our children at this age will be what make them successful adults. It was with that line of reasoning that I approached the latest dilemma with our child and school. I took one of his annoying characteristics, something that obviously drives him and challenged him to put that to work in the classroom. So far the results have been staggering!
Which brings me back to what Marianne Williamson says. We say our time is precious, I've challenged myself to use every minute to it's fullest, then I must do the same with the talents that God has given me. Two choices, Play small or be fabulous.....
Play small and don't garner attention, or be fabulous and make a difference in the world. Play small so others don't feel unsure about themselves or be fabulous so that others can draw strength from your boldness. Play small so that everything stays the same, or be brilliant and force change. The choice today is simple......
I find myself trying to answer the question Marianne famous words began with, "what is your deepest fear" quite often. Not that I believe I'm inadequate, rather that I simply struggle with the tremendous power to change things, and to embrace this change in the world is often looked at as overwhelming task. My outlook, when guided correctly by the values I hold closely, is that I (or anyone) needs to conquer the world in a day - or simply - even a small change, a small smile, or simply a small sign of faith can have a huge impact. Primarily on ourselves, but this shines for all to see and can have a powerful impact on those that encounter you and your optimistic outlook.
Great thoughts Pam - definitely a perfect nugget to remember as many will look at many of the new year resolutions they have made, and start to lose faith in conquering them all. It's in that moment I always hope that one can remember you have to crawl before you walk, walk before you run, and run before you hurdle!
You are so right Bri! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! I just think we need to lean more toward the doing part instead of the fear part. In some ways we have to retrain ourselves to step out in faith. Just imagine what faith has been able to conquer! Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, just to name a few stepped out in faith and decided not to play small. Hope your day was a good one! Thanks for reading!
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