Have you ever felt a tiny, fluttering nervousness in your chest when you were on the verge of doing something truly great? It is such a strange sensation, isn't it? We often spend our lives trying to shrink ourselves, trying to fit into small, safe boxes so we don't stand out or cause a stir. We tell ourselves we aren't good enough, or that we lack the skills, but if we look closer at Marianne Williamson's beautiful words, we might find a different truth. The real fear isn't that we are failing; it is the terrifying realization that we possess an incredible, unmeasurable strength that could change everything.
In our everyday lives, this fear shows up in the quiet moments of hesitation. It is the hesitation before hitting 'send' on an important email, or the pause before sharing a creative idea in a meeting. We cling to our perceived inadequacies because they act like a shield. If we stay 'small,' we don't have to deal with the responsibility of our own brilliance. Being powerful means being seen, and being seen means being vulnerable to the world's judgment. It is much easier to stay in the shadows of our own doubt than to step into the bright, demanding light of our true potential.
I remember a time when I was helping a friend prepare for a gallery opening. She is an incredibly talented painter, but she kept insisting that her work was just a hobby and that she wasn't a 'real' artist. She was so focused on her lack of formal training that she completely missed the magic in her brushstrokes. When the night of the opening arrived, seeing her work under the lights, I saw her entire demeanor change. She wasn't just showing paintings; she was showing the world her soul. The fear of being 'too much' or 'too talented' vanished, replaced by the awe of her own capability.
It takes a lot of courage to stop hiding behind our excuses and start embracing our greatness. It is okay to feel a little scared of your own light, but please don't let that fear keep you tucked away in a corner. You have seeds of greatness within you just waiting for the sun to reach them. Today, I want to encourage you to look at one area of your life where you have been playing small. Ask yourself: what would I attempt if I wasn't afraid of my own power? Take just one tiny, brave step toward that greatness today.