Let Your Light Shine!

“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 is a quote by Marianne Williamson, an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher. I heard the quote while watching the movie "Akeelah and the Bee," about a young inner-city girl who goes to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

Akeelah's friend, Jordan, always told her that she could do anything she believed she could do. Yet, Jordan wanted to be a flight attendant. "You can't be a flight attendant if you've never flown on a plane," said Akeela to Jordan, just before she invited her to go to D.C. with her.

What is holding you back from doing what you want to do in your life?

I've had the great honor to be around some people lately who are not letting their "fear of success" get in their way. A very driven young man, Matt Steffe, was a guest in our home Tuesday night. Matt played college basketball and went on to coach Divsion 1 basketball in Oregon. The California native is a devoted husband and father to three beautiful young children. Yet, six weeks ago he quit the "sure thing" in his life--his full time job, to persue more than he could ever accomplish in a standard 9-to-5 career. Matt is the highest-producing distributor for C-PRIME, a company that my son, Joe, and I are now involved with. Matt is "on" almost 24/7, talking to those who are also high achievers, and encouraging those who want to be.

We got into this company at the worst possible time...or, the BEST possible time. We just weren't in a position to invest alot of money in a new business. Thankfully, this business doesn't require that. But I do have what it takes: time and the desire to help others become successful. And in so doing, I've had the joy of watching Joe develop and grow and be successful in this business right along with me.


Next week, I'm going to challenge myself again. I'll be heading up to Oxford for the Creative Non-Fiction Writer's Conference. I'll be meeting other writers, as well as agents who will hear our ideas and, well, who knows what will happen? I know I want to write Nicole's story, and this will be the first step in making that happen.

I'm so happy that I'm surrounded by people who are creative and who push themselves to do more.

My own dad learned woodworking--wood turning and wood carving--after he retired. And there's Jonni Webb, who went from a career in advertising/sales to following her passion to be a full-time potter. And Leslie Puckett, who creates wonderful herbal lotions, soaps and other potions. There's Brenda Judin, who uses her creative talents to write and produce videos. And Ann Frye, who continually pushes the envelope on creativitiy of all sorts. And Jacqui Katool, who is stepping out of her comfort zone to hold a trunk show of her jewelry on November 11 at Chandelier in Ridgeland. And so many others...including my own Nicole, who took a leap to travel to Sedona to take a 100-hour course, "Yoga Meets Dance," and is now working on putting together classes where she can teach others.

"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." Yep, you can teach an old dog new tricks. I'm learning new ones every day. Growing...learning...and feeling God's glory manifested within me!

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan