"...Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won\'t feel insecure around you..."

- Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles* ~~*~~

How often do you make your Self smaller, close down, or don’t show your full, brilliant Self so that others will feel better or not be triggered? I have a hunch, that it happens more times than you like.

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve become particularly aware of this ’problem’ happening in my own life. In my previous ’life’, I worked for corporate America for over 17 years and have been working for my Self since 2000. Recently, a fantastic opportunity fell into my lap that involved working for a non-profit company.

While things have been going well, including interviews and interactions, and I’m excited about the opportunity; I have also been left with this nagging feeling of dissatisfaction. Something has been bugging me. Between meditation and some discussions with friends, I’ve been able to put my finger on it - I’ve been playing small.

So often we play small in the name of fitting in, or getting the job or being a good wife/sister/daughter/mother. At the core of this behavior, we are hoping that the other person will like us and then we will get what we want - relationship, job, love. How can we ever expect to be truly happy and fulfilled if we get a relationship/job/love based on less than who we really are?!

Having come to this realization, I was ’on fire’. I’ve worked too hard to excavate my authentic Self to not bring all of who I am to the table. I heard my Self saying to my Self and outloud "I will not play small! I will not close down! I am sharing all of my Self!"

I have so much to offer (so do you) and bring so much passion to my work, precisely because I bring all of me - body, mind, heart and Soul. If a company can’t see what an incredible asset I am, then I don’t want to work for them. I told you, I was on fire :D Taking action, I drafted a new letter for my interview follow-up - one that is all of me and what I’m really about. That nagging feeling went away.

Now it’s your turn!

First, be compassionate with your Self as you recognize when you have played small. Look at why you did it and don’t judge your Self; just be aware. You’re learning - we all are.

Second, the next time you are tempted to play small and not share your truest Self, I want you to think of me lovingly, gently and *strongly* urging you to find your inner fire and express *all* of who you are!

Third, if you need some support in stepping out and into your Brilliance, that’s what I do best! Feel free to contact me!