Many years ago I was asked the question, “How do you define greatness?” I used to believe that in order to experience greatness you had to conquer something major, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or having a message that reaches millions upon millions of people. While I don’t think my definition has changed much over the years, my perception of “major” in relation to greatness has.
To me greatness is…
When we are our most authentic selves.
When we are able to share from that scary, vulnerable place that connects us with another human being.
When we have the courage to follow our dreams.
When we discover our why…those things that make us tick, and then
when we use our why so that what we do has more impact and meaning.
When we own our greatness and truly step into it without hesitation.
Greatness is not always in what we do, but it is always in who we are.
And we spend a lot of time focusing on what keeps us from greatness rather then focusing on what already makes us great. We don’t claim it. We don’t own it. We don’t live it nearly as much as we could. Instead we allow self-deprecating comments to taint our view. We allow other people’s opinions to overshadow our own. We let limiting beliefs, like the one that says acknowledging our greatness is bigheaded, to run roughshod.
CLAIM IT, OWN IT, LIVE IT
As I’m writing this, I’m reminded of Marianne Williamson’s quote…
“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.”
YES! YES! YES!! A thousand times yes! That’s what I’m talking about.
My friends, this is your invitation… it is time to claim it, own it, and live it! We don’t have a moment to waste. The world needs us to step up and share our greatness. If you’re wondering how or feeling scared as hell, trust me I get it and I’ve got you. Here are a few tips that help. Feel free to pick and choose or to share some of your own.
Identify/Define it: This where the rubber meets the road when we are able to clearly identify or define greatness for ourselves. Knowing what it feels or looks like supports us in being great on our own terms, not someone else’s.
Capture it: Making note of the things we do each day fortifies that greatness. It cements it into our reality so we are truly living it every day. Grab a pen and a journal and capture all that greatness.
Share it: Share it with others by doing those things that make you feel great and model the crap out of that greatness. As Marianne said in her quote, “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Oh, and here’s some food for thought… it’s not our business what other people think of us when we are putting our greatness out there. We have no control over that any way.
Quiet it: Not the greatness, but the limiting beliefs and self-deprecating comments. Quiet those suckers in the very moment when they’re trying to steal your greatness and its thunder. Change the words being said. Express a little gratitude. Do something that switches off the negative message.
Lets cause a ripple effect of greatness. Starting TODAY! We got this!! Because here’s the real deal, when we do, we are not only serving as role models for others, we are taking charge of our own destiny. We are creating amazing experiences and opportunities. We are playing full out. We are truly living a life and doing work in this world that we love. True. Story.
Are you going to accept the invitation?
Until next time, I’m not only sending you wishes of greatness, but much love and light…
Originally published at www.whatswithinu.com.
Originally published at medium.com