I remember watching the movie Hidden Figures with great amazement and extreme sadness. The movie tells the story of three brilliant black women working at NASA who were the brains behind astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit.
Set in the 1960’s during segregation, these women were the forefront minds on the NASA project but forced to hide in the background because of the color of their skin. They weren’t celebrated. They weren’t promoted. I’m sure they weren’t compensated as much as their colleagues. They were basically behind the scenes and not acknowledged for their true and extraordinary gifts.
As I replay this movie in my head, I think about how we can be hidden figures in our own lives. Sometimes we hide behind others, denying the greatness inside, and give someone else the authority to tell us what we can do. We may even believe that because of some “alleged” flaw, we aren’t qualified to do what’s in our heart. We live with suppressed talents, passions and capabilities, driven by fear.
If I’m honest, looking back over my life, I can’t count the number of times I’ve waited for approval, applause, even likes, to validate what I was doing before moving full force into it.
Have you ever felt like you were living by someone else’s dictation and not by your design?
It is a huge miss if you don’t realize that you write the story of your life. You have to decide that you, along with God, determine what’s best for you – no one else gets a vote. It’s critical that you own the seasons of your life, and do what’s in your heart when you know it’s time to do it.
How many years do we waste waiting for the approval or applause of others, while ignoring the validity of our own desires? Vision, purpose, gifts, talents -they’re given to us first, long before anyone celebrates us for them. It’s up to us to nurture them and then use them.
You’re not a hidden figure. You’re a leading lady in your own life. It’s time to write the script, direct it, and show up with full hair and make-up ready to take the stage.
So here’s my question to you: how are you going to step from behind the scenes and rewrite some things in your life?
Velera Wilson is a speaker, author, and consultant who helps ambitious women lead with confidence in their career, relationships, and everyday life. Her next book will be released Fall 2020 – learn more, get exclusive sneak peeks and updates by joining her VIP Book Tribe here.