You’ve kept yourself quiet, hiding out in the shadows. You’ve been settling for only showing a shrouded representation of yourself. You have things you want to do, ideas to enact, visions to manifest. Yet you hesitate, unsure if you really have something to add to what has already been said, doubtful that your voice will really make a difference.
Have you made yourself smaller to accommodate your current situation…or another person? You’re wary of disturbing the status quo. But no matter what you tell yourself, it isn’t easier to just go along for the ride. The price is simply too high for that to be truly easy or comfortable. It certainly isn’t healthy living. Your unused voice grows hoarse, your creativity has no venue for expression and life becomes monotone in shades of gray. Even if there are 50 shades available, they are all still gray.
It’s time to change the situation, not shrink your way into the shadows!
No More Hiding
I’ve been hiding out. Showing up in the shadows, unwilling to shine alone, fully, in my own expression. I wanted to share the spotlight because my vision has always been rooted in community. Gratefully, I’ve had company along the way so far. But I’ve also been waiting for others to be committed in the ways that I am, to jump in and manifest a massive vision and oh, by the way, let’s do it now, never mind that your life has a different timing and trajectory.
Have you been waiting for someone else to act so that you can take your place? Have you put your life on hold?
The truth is that waiting around has been intensely uncomfortable for me. I put myself on hold without acknowledging the cost. Feel what it’s like to put life force on hold: imagine constantly revving the jet engine with your foot stomped on the brakes. Eventually something burns up. Your body suffers. You get sick.
“Observe and witness your tendency to define who you are today based on your past experiences. Let go of the need to ‘heal’ old emotional wounds in the old method of re-hashing, re-living, and analyzing what happened, what should have happened and why you are not living the life you want.
Move to neutrality and LET GO. This will free you up for something new and wonderful.”
Sarah Varcas
Breathe your Way into Willingness
Take a deep breath. Fill your body with the life force that is as equally available to you as it is to everyone else. It is, you know, available to you. Remember that this life force has an expression in you that is unique, something that is elemental to your being and can only be done by you.
Even if your dream is about community, like mine is, you have a singular vision that no one other than you can realize.
It can only be discovered when you are willing to step out of the shadows—when you have the courage to step into the spotlight, alone, trembling, unsure if anyone wants to listen to what you have to say.
So take a few more of those deep breaths. It’s okay that you may not know the next step. It’s fine if your vision is a little cloudy. There is no way to control where your path will lead. It’s your willingness to go forward, knowing that there is something more that is important in this moment. You know there is more, don’t you?
How can you move forward in a way that honors all the players? First let yourself become more visible. Because sharing yourself is a gift that only you can give. When you shine, people are drawn. Your willingness to step out of the shadows invites them to shine. Your light doesn’t eclipse their light. Together you shine more brightly.
The Spotlight is Waiting for You
The spotlight shines on the stage of life. This is your life, your stage and your time. It’s not next year, or sometime when, or only if. And really, you don’t need someone to hold your hand when you’re on stage. (Although it’s wonderfully rich to have a passel of people in your corner, cheering you on.)
We each need to shine in our own spotlight. Together we become the sun and we light up the earth.
Shed the shadows. Breathe in the light. Revel in it. How are you willing to shine today? How far will you let your light reach?
Great points about waiting for others to act and making yourself smaller! Thank you for the wonderful reminders in this post!
You are welcome, Kimberly. I appreciate your comments. Laurie
I really like the suggestion “breathe your way into willingness.” Thanks!
My pleasure, Andrea! Laurie
I love your suggestion to breathe your way to willingness! Yes!
Breathing with you, Kelley! Laurie
Excellent suggestions Laurie. It’s okay to shine the spotlight on our life. When we shine our light bright it reaches others in unimaginable ways. Thank you!
Our light needs to shine, doesn;t it, Debra? We need it and others need it receive it. Thanks for your comments! Laurie
Lovely “breath your way into willingness.” Much love, Natasha
Thank you, Natasha. Much love to you, too! Laurie
Love your ability to woo your reader into the message and then powerfully show the way to change. Nice job, Laurie!
Thanks so much for your generous words, Kellie! Laurie
I’m breathing in the light right along side of you. Transformational post!
I love having you next to me, Shann! Thanks–Laurie
Love this piece Laurie and especially the breath your way into willingness…Beautiful mantra
Thanks, Debra!
So spot on for what I’m walking through, Laurie! Thank you. Especially all the sides of “breathe your way into willingness.”
Grateful you wrote this, and that I saw it.
Blessings!
Sue
It’s always wonderful when the right message appears, Sue. I’m glad this connected with you! Blessings to you–Laurie
excellent article and the timing was perfect for me to read this!
I love how that works, Martha! Thanks! Laurie
I absolutely loved this article! I felt like you were looking right at me and speaking to me. Thank you for this beautiful message! Beautifully written!
Thank you dear Zinnia! I was speaking to you…