Let it be, whisper words of wisdom….let it be. Another song lyric. One thing about music we all know well is that it is powerful and we can identify moments in time when it hits us to the core. I told someone this week that I wish some songs could be banned on all Calgary radio stations so I don’t have to hear them because of the emotions they trigger. If we allow it, sometimes that music can influence change.
When you hear the words ‘let it be’ what’s the very first thing that comes to mind? Leave it alone, don’t touch it, let it work itself out….? Or something else like let it happen, give something permission to be, allow it?
“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.” Maryanne Williamson
One thing I’ve been challenged with recently is my inability to ‘let it be’ in terms of my career. It’s like in some weird way I’m fighting to make sure it DOESN’T happen and I simply need to find a way to let it be. As Maryanne Williamson shares her wisdom in the above quote, part of it states “who are you NOT to” when it comes to living in and using the gifts you’ve been given. Why is it so easy to hold myself back instead of letting it be?
Zig Ziglar makes a statement that, “You cannot make it as a wandering generality. You must become a meaningful specific.” This challenges me every time it crosses my mind. My entire adult life I’ve been told I’m a chameleon, I fit in wherever I’m put, I’m a gap filler…so on and so on. How can I possibly become a meaningful specific if that is the case? Although those words were meant as compliments because not everyone has the capacity to adapt easily, I’ve also used those words as an excuse to ‘let it slide’ instead of ‘let it be’.
On my quest to become a meaningful specific I have asked myself a few challenging questions (at least for me). I invite you too, to ask yourself these questions and identify :
1. What is it that I allow to hold me back?
2. What excuses do I tell myself?
3. What actions am I specifically taking to remove those excuses?
4. Who can I lean on to be honest with me as I take steps to change my thought patterns and therefore my future?
5. How can I answer to myself as I make choices that either ‘let it slide’ or ‘let it be’?
6. How will I acknowledge my successful steps towards becoming a meaningful specific?
I would love for YOU to share your thoughts on becoming a meaningful specific and what you’ve done to ‘let it be’!
Food for Thought
“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.” ~ Max DePree
Definitely something I’m still working on. Part of my issue is allowing myself to become vulnerable enough to myself as well as others to face these things. Thanks for helping me face some of these things 🙂
Jennifer if there’s one thing about you, it’s your vulnerability. I like what you say though, about being vulnerable to YOURSELF. I think too often we leave ourselves out of the mix when reflecting on things like this. Glad to be of service… 😉
Wonderful post! We are all so much more than we know.
Thank you for taking time to read and to comment, Kristin. Enjoy your week being more than you know you are!!