I’ve been hiding. I hate to say it, but I allowed more than one person to smother my light. You know that song, this little light of mine…I’m going to let it shine…let it shine…? If you don’t, once upon a time, I taught Sunday school to little kids. We would sing that song and as I saw their cute little faces sing their hearts out, I would silently pray for each of them hoping that they will never let anyone dim their light.
A couple of months ago, I launched this blog. Some people commented, and some people texted me and told me that they loved it. But there were some who told me, that I couldn’t write or that I shouldn’t tell people this or that. I also experienced a kooky stalker who literally took my words and my personal thoughts and posted them as her own. That on top of some BULLSHIT my husband and I were put through, my blog sat on the back burner. I kept telling myself that I shouldn’t let their opinion hinder my objective. Which is to make people feel better about themselves and rise up to be their best version of whoever they want to be.
Literally, as I would drive or as I would lay in bed, I would think of things to write about. Yet, I couldn’t get myself to the computer. Everyday was a new excuse:
“Well, I can’t today. I have that vendor coming over to look at the sink.”
“Ugh, I am so tired today.”
“Literally, my stalker(s) is going to think this is about them and start some shit that I just don’t need.”
“Who is going to read it anyway?”
I am an accountability coach who teaches, Jack Canfield’s Success Principals and the very first principal is “Make No Excuses”. Let’s just say, I wasn’t living by my own standards.
Days kept going by and some days I would tell my husband Travis about all the topics I would write about and he would tell me, “just write, who cares what they think”. He’s such a great supporter of my crazy ideas. Yet, I still had a hard time bringing myself to work on my own stuff. Instead, I would spend hours on my husband’s work. He’s an entrepreneur too, so he always has things that need to get done. It was so easy for me to work on his stuff and set my stuff aside.
As I read more books about leaders, entrepreneurs and the crazy ones who made great changes in the world…the more I realized that they didn’t let anyone dim their light. Oh, and it wasn’t easy for any of them. Every single person I read about, had someone who told them they couldn’t do it, or they weren’t good enough or they didn’t deserve their success or they would never work another day in their industry, but you know what?
They said, FUCK YOU and kept going, defied all of them and allowed their light to shine.
And so here I am, back at it. Filled with crazy anxiety that I am putting myself out there yet again to receive more criticism and maybe some negativity. But I need to focus on the positive comments/reviews and make an effort to write more often. I am also going to start up my podcast again soon and let this little light of mine SHINE SO BRIGHT that NO ONE ever be able to dim it again!
Yay! You’re an awesome writer and even tho your kooky stalker will keep taking your words and posting them as hers, it’s plain and simple she can’t ever be YOU! We are all here with our own Devine power! So own yours and shine bright! 😍
I love this! You have to say F**k it sometimes and do what’s best for you. Yes, we can all make excuses as to why not do something, I’ve been making them all month. Thanks for reminding me about this and to just do it. Live your life!
Excuses are easy to make, making changes in our lives and eliminated those people that crush our souls is totally essential to shining bright!
I love this, mainly because I feel like I’ve been “hiding” my whole life. You would think growing up being told you’re so smart and great at everything would have an amazing impact on your self esteem, however this caused me to be terrified to try anything new that might make me look stupid. Failing was not an option, so I just wouldn’t put myself out there to do anything different. Lately, I’ve been trying to change that. You’re right, we need to just live and not worry about other people. Easier said than done. I’m a work in progress, but reading this makes me feel like I’m not alone. 💖 Please keep writing. 💖
Love your comment! I will keep writing.
I love this… probably because I feel like I’ve been “hiding” my entire life. You would think growing up hearing how smart and amazing you are all the time would give a girl some insanely great self esteem. Instead, fearing failure and not looking stupid, I never tried anything new. The way my light was dimmed was not from people telling me I couldn’t do it, it was almost the opposite. It made it very hard to put myself there…I just always played it safe. But, Travis is right, “Who cares what they think?” I’m trying to live more by those words…it’s hard…I’m definitely a work in progress. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone. Keep writing ~love this blog!!
Exactly! We need to stop caring what people think and start being our true authentic selves.
I love it! Why is it so much easier to help others shine bright than to shine bright ourselves? I wonder if it has to do with our sense of worthiness? When we realize that we are WORTH IT, then we can allow our lights to shine bright. 💡 ☀️ Thank you for the encouragement!
You are so welcome my friend 🙂 Thank you for the beautiful comment.
OMG I needed to read this today! I am so glad to know that I am not alone. When my husband and I decided to branch out from our jobs and start our own business together, some of the people that we thought would support us the most did the opposite. We have found that so many people we have cheered for were silently hoping we would fail because as they say “misery loves company”. This post just reminds me that the path we chose was actually the one that we needed and we are not alone. It is so important to surround yourself with likeminded people.
Being an Entrepreneur isn’t easy! If it was, more people would do it. But you are so right, misery loves company! Glad you didn’t let those people hold you down.
This!! TODAY i really needed it! I work with people that will have a negative comment about your IDEAS but NEVER have any ideas to share? They come to just suck out all your joy. Why do we GIVE someone else so MUCH power? Thank you for saying FUCK IT! Just do what makes you… YOU
Thank you
Keep posting💞💖❤
Right??! Fuck it!
You always “shine bright” from my perspective. No matter what trials you’ve been through. Thank you for sharing and writing this blog. I always knew you had that special something. I’m glad you found it. Love you!!
Aww! You are the best lady 🤗 thank you for your sincere comment 💓