There is a poem that I like by Marion Williamson called “Our Greatest Fear”, and to me that poem is so powerful. After reading it recently it got me to thinking and reflecting on some things and really trying to understand some of the things that holds people back and affects their confidence. The first thought that came to my mind was shrinking back. You know kinda dumbing down or downplaying yourself?
How many times in life have you had a dream or even simpler you just had a specific hobby that you enjoyed, but because you thought others wouldn’t approve or be uncomfortable with you doing that, you just aired on the side of caution and didn’t do it to save yourself the criticism or naysaying. I know for me I have, and I want the last time I did that to be the last time I did that. I mean no more shrinking back or not doing things to make others feel comfortable. If you really think about it, what do you gain from shrinking back anyway? I don’t see any benefits to it, but I do see some hindrances from it. When we shrink back we are limiting our potential and in my opinion the potential of others. You never know who will benefit from you and I giving our all and striving to reach our fullest potential.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being who you are, even if others don’t approve. If there are people in your life who you feel that you can’t be who you really are in their presence, it’s probably time to reevaluate those relationships. A true friend loves you for who you are not who they expect you to be. Life is so much more lovable when we aren’t trying to live up to others expectations and definitely not shrinking back to make someone else happy or more comfortable.I’ve found that usually when people are uncomfortable with our dreams, goals and progress it’s because they don’t feel like they can do it or that it may magnify that they aren’t going after their own dreams. But we can’t allow other people’s opinions to keep us from being ourselves even if it means losing them, because you have to make you a priority.
So let me ask you this, are you going to continue to shrink back and live as others expect you to or are you going to be brave and be yourself and live your best life? I hope you chose the latter of the two. When we stop shrinking back and be who we are it’s like peeling off a dead layer of skin and allowing the beautiful new layer of skin to be exposed. When we give ourselves the permission to be ourselves it is so liberating, because being someone you’re not is like being an actor in a play, you’re playing a part but it’s not who you truly are. When we are ourselves I believe we are letting our light shine and as the poem says “And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” So let’s not continue to shrink back, not only for our sakes but also for those who look up to us because they’re watching. As always remember you are a Worthy Woman!