Greatness takes guts. No doubt about it. Sure, Shakespeare implored us: “Don’t be afraid of Greatness.” But here I was, on Day 3 of my retreat, seriously scared. From the moment I woke up, fear began to wrap around me like a second skin, seeping into my pores, coursing through my veins, constricting my chest with its vise-like grip.
Why was I so afraid, I wondered? I spent the last two days delightfully splashing around in this new Call to Greatness. Now, suddenly, I wake up drowning in fear.
In a split second, it made perfect sense.
The Call to Greatness meant I was being summoned to a higher level. I had grown very comfortable teaching women how to make more money and manage it wisely. I had the ‘overcoming’ stuff down pat. But going to the next level of ‘becoming’ (whatever that means!!!) was brand new territory.
I suspected what that meant for me personally – I had to come out of the closet, revealing and owning my value, my brilliance, my power, my exceptional wisdom and my unique talents.
The instant I wrote that last sentence, my tummy did a belly flop. Is everyone going to think I’m arrogant (a big fear of mine!)? Or even worse, will the world think I’m really just faking it? My brilliance is BS, my talents are, well… ordinary?
Somewhere during the day, I made a decision. This is a risk I’m willing to take. I’m going for Greatness, and taking every woman I possibly can with me. I am convinced the world desperately needs women to step up to the plate and into their power, to own their Greatness in the grandest way.
Just as I write this, the damndest thing happened. I get an email from my friend Suzy. “I read this and thought of you,” she said, sending me a quote from Marianne Williamson. The synchronicity was inescapable!!!
“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
“Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and 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 born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our 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.” – Marianne Williamson
There’s no doubt in my mind – this a sign and a message, not just to me, but to everyone reading this blog!!!
Speaking of signs, be sure to read my next blog.
Barbara Stanny
The leading authority on women & money
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