As I walk down the school hallway, an acquaintance joyfully says hi to me. I peer up from looking at the ground; entranced from watching my feet move one step in front of the other, I didn't even process that someone was speaking to me. I catch a glimpse of who says hi to me, quickly say hi back, and then go right back to watching my feet.
That was 13 year-old me. I had these 80's style wide rimmed glasses. I chose them because they were similar to my sister's, who I thought was the coolest person on the planet. The glasses didn't quite fit on my tiny adolescent face; they constantly slid down my nose. To top it off I had braces, which I endured for four years. There I was, this petite girl with her face covered in metal and plastic. I was gaining my bearings on life. I was learning to be comfortable in a body that was changing. But what was really happening was that I was embarrassed and ashamed of being me. I didn't like looking in the mirror so why would anyone else want to see me?
And that right there is the good stuff. That belief system is what the me-now is turning upside down. I'm changing things up, connecting with that 13-year-old me and saying it's not only okay, it's good, it's healthy, it's empowering to show up and be seen.
"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? 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". - Marriane Williamson
My 13 year-old self created this paradigm where I felt it was safer to hide who I was. It's far scarier to truly show up, shine, risk being fully seen than to give up only a part of yourself, a glimpse of who you truly are. I believe that all of us suffer from the hiding syndrome. We hide who we are, our talents, our expression, etc., in fear of whether or not we will be accepted or welcomed. It's up to You to accept You. Don't give that power away.
And be WILDLY you! Let out that healer, warrior, teacher, visionary, creator, etc., and you'll inspire others to do the same. Be brave and shine!
Show up. Be bold. Be authentically you!