On dimming our light
We often, albeit unconsciously dim our light & suppress our individuality to fit in. Does this serve us or the world around us?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. 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 enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"
This quote by Marianne Williamson gave me goosebumps the first time I read it. Somehow it seemed to have a lot of truth hidden in it.
Each of us is unique, with our unique strengths and personalities. However, we may not always feel confident of expressing ourselves freely. This can occur because of our fear of disapproval, or the discomfort of standing out.
As I live my life, I realise the challenges and difficulties inherent with "being authentic". Being authentic involves expressing my individuality without concern for acceptance, asserting and articulating myself clearly & standing up for myself without the fear of being put down or pushed out. It also involves risking walking alone.
It's easy to suppress our true nature, be lesser than what we are capable of, just to fit in & be accepted. It's easy to stay within our comfort zones. But that dims our light, contracts us within and prevents us from sharing our uniqueness with the world, which alone will help heal it.
I recently watched this movie - Mulan and loved it for its message of “being authentic”. Or thats how I interpreted it :) Watch it if you haven't already.
In the movie, the protagonist, by the name Mulan, is the only female in a male Army. She dresses up as a man to fit in. She also suppresses her chi / energy as she had been told as a child repeatedly by her parents / society that being a girl she should not display her energy too much.
When the Army chief asks her ( thinking she is a Man and not a woman ) why she suppresses her chi, she begins to express it more. As she does this, she realises that she is way better than anyone else and clearly stands out as the best warrior amongst them all.
The second thing that happens is the realisation that she needs to fight the battle with honesty. Not faking to be a man, but revealing who she is - a woman. And when she does this, she faces opposition, is shunned and all of that. But eventually everything falls in place. Being herself, and expressing her full potential wins her acceptance, recognition and value in the ultimate run.
I loved the movie for its deeper meaning.
The path to authenticity may not be an easy one, but that's the only one we should be taking if we want to live our life fully and make a difference to the world we live in.
I invite you, as I invite myself, to bask in the glory of our uniqueness, expressing ourselves fully, not afraid of being alone, even if that is what being authentic might entail. Would you be joining me ?
In what ways do you dim your light ? What comes in the way of you, expressing yourself fully? Do spend some time in reflection. Let me know what came up for you in comments. Maybe I will be able to connect with your story 🙂
Shine on... 😊
Your uniqueness is very much a strength, not a weakness, and by taking steps to identify what makes you ‘you’, you can not only build your own personal brand, but find meaning in life.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson