Let your light shine
September 1, 2009 by Káren Wallace
Filed under Serenity Space
You are a miracle!
No. Wait. Before you laugh and click away – hear me out, please?
You are a totally unique human being. There isn’t another the same as you, anywhere. You may have traits and features in common with your parents, or be so like your sister. But having your Mother’s eyes and your Father’s temper doesn’t make you the same person as either of them. Of course not!
No-one else has your exact DNA. Or your exact fingerprints. No-one thinks or loves like you, either.
In fact, the only thing we all have in common – the only thing every human being shares – is that we are all totally unique.
Kinda blows you away, when you really notice that, doesn’t it?
So why do we spend so much time trying to fit in and be just the same as everyone else?
Why do we hide our talents, our brilliance, our uniqueness away, as though we’re ashamed of who we are?
You’ve been trying to fit in with family, with friends, with peers and co-workers, even with the neighbours, for so long now – do you remember who you are?
You are not only unique, you are so very special – in fact, you’re magnificent!
Be yourself. The world worships an original
~Ingrid Bergman~
But somewhere along the way, you’ve put away parts of yourself. There are things you’ve buried, because you stood out too much, or someone laughed at you, once, long ago.
There are talents you’ve put aside as you struggled under the yolk of making a living, raising a family, being an adult.
There are yearnings you’ve put into the ‘maybe one day’ basket. You know the basket of someday dreams you’ll get to – once the kids are grown, once you have enough money, once you lose weight or your health improves… once you just get through this patch.
And along with those things you’ve put aside, you’ve put aside your soul.
You’re hiding behind the curtain afraid of the bright lights on the other side.
What so many of us don’t realise until too late is that the bright lights out there on stage are our reflection. Our life is the light. Those who’ve had the courage to step out from behind the curtain have found a joyous life – a life that shines with happiness and love. Why don’t we join them?
Here – take my hand…
Let Your Light Shine
Dust off that someday – one day basket. Unearth your yearnings. Rediscover your talents. Today is ’someday’ and you are special!
If you’ve read this far, you’re ready. You know exactly why you’re reading this today. If you sit and be still, you can hear those buried dreams whispering to you. You know what I am talking about, even if you’ve not yet accepted it. Deep within your heart you know the light that is there, waiting to be unshackled and let free.
Listen to the whispers. Hear them. Bring them forth.
The world is waiting to see your light – that special radiance that can only come from you. And if you’re living a life true to who you are – then that radiance will shine, giving you a unique and unmistakeable glow.
Shine your light and you inspire others to shine their light.
What is it you’ve been hiding, playing small, denying?
It’s your life – if you don’t live it no-one will!
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say “I used everything you gave me”
~Erma Bombeck~
At the end of your life, will you be able to say, with confidence, “I used all you gave me” ??
If not now, when?
Umm Karen …
What are you doing writing messages to me in Calm Space?
If you’ve got something to say to me, why don’t you ring me up?
What?
What! You mean that wasn’t just meant for me!
Surely no-one else does all those stupid things like hiding behind curtains and burying their yearnings and playing small?
oh alright….
HERE’s my hand!
I think we are all afraid that we may not be as good as everyone else and that is sad. Who is it that gets to measure what is good and what is not?
Put aside fear and start small. Remember, a slow reveal can be exciting.
Just last week, after a 12-year hiatus, I started posting my short stories, poems, songs and novel with a view to getting them all published.
What an amazing coincidence to see this message today!
Many thanks indeed. P.
Paul, it is funny you should say that. Having my article included here is my first step back to where I should be. Good luck with your dreams.
Chris – thanks for taking my hand, it’s going to be an amazing out-from-behind-the-curtain party! And I think I was writing it as much for me as for you – I’ve been getting these messages lately, and they’ve got so loud I just had to repeat them.
Anne – oh yes! Love a slow reveal… ; ) and I’m so thrilled you shared your writing with us here at The Calm Space – it’s such a thrill to have your beautiful ‘Living Space’ grace our pages, smudges, fingerprints and all…
Paul – Welcome to Calm Space! I’m thrilled you’ve stopped by, and even more thrilled you’ve taken those steps after 12 years hiatus! Wow…!
I just popped over to your site, and laughed out loud at the latex beanbag story… will look forward to reading more when time allows. Thanks for shining your light our way.
Thanks, Karen. So glad you dug the story. Laughing out loud is one of the best reactions I can hope to elicit.
Often I let fear take the lead in my choices-I stay just on the other side of what I could be doing for fear I won’t do it right or it won’t be good enough. It is what keeps me procrastinating!
As an artist I feel tremendous pressure to perform so I draw back at times-but, I have decided to step out! I have a project I have been working on a while, and feel passionate about, and decided just this week to give it a life of its own, It was something that was out of my comfort zone to begin with (it has a performance element) but is one of those ideas that keeps telling me to go forward. Your piece this month was timely! Encouraging and affirming it addressed my fears and helped me know I made the right move! Thanks!
Susan – welcome to the Calm Space! I am doing one of my little (and quite embarrassing) happy dances after reading your comment, and going to have a sneak peak at The Ironing Board Project.
I’m glad that this time you didn’t let fear take the lead, and have been brave and bold enough to let your light shine! Your courage is inspiration for us all. Look what can happen when you dare to step out onto the stage!!
Very beautiful thoughts. I have a lot of those “maybe one day” in my basket. Thing is i know deep inside those “maybe one day” will not come any more. It is a tough and a wild world out there. Often times, beauty is not any more appreciated that much. It is already the survival that counts.
Emma, thank you. Sometimes we need to look at our list of “maybe one day’s” and toss out the ones that no longer work for us (like becoming a great ballerina at age 40 perhaps), but I think there will always be things we dream of doing that are still achievable, if we just dare a little. We can still take dance classes, no matter how old we are. I appreciate you stopping by!
I am so inspired withe every words of your article. I have my own saying “Yourself is the greatest thing in the world”. it means knowing our self first is your first step for your happiness and success. We are all unique and I agree with you Karen. Discovering our own self will outreach our talent and capabilities. Do not feel fear just be your self and everything will be good.