Hello Gorgeous!

Who’s happy it’s Saturday? ME! How was your week? I’m sure many of you are running around like crazy preparing the kids for back to school. Are you happy summer is almost over?

I had an off-the-charts week so I’m looking forward to resting, refueling and recharging this weekend. That consists of catching up on some reading, journaling, napping and cooking…yes, call me crazy, but cooking relaxes me. What “me” time activity will you be enjoying in this weekend? Do something that feeds your spirit. You can’t continue to give out if you do not fill back up.

Last Saturday, I had the honor and privilege of speaking on a panel alongside leaders in the Asian-American community hosted by Against The Grain Productions. I admit, although I’ve done it many times and even train others in public speaking- I still get nervous when I speak to a crowd! My hands sweat, I get a headache, I have to pee and my mouth feels like a desert. It’s easy breezy when I speak to a camera that goes to thousands, but feeling the eyeballs and energy in person makes my tummy flop. Perhaps it’s because you can see the approval or disapproval in their eyes and hear the laughs or silence. They say that speaking in public is one of the top 3 fears, right? When I was originally asked to participate, I went into that head spin of trying to talk myself out of it. “I’m not Asian enough to add value…I suck at speaking…I didn’t grow up in the Asian community…my dad is a Japanese redneck”  was the track playing on repeat on the CD in my head.

I took my own advice from my recent motivational video on stepping out of your comfort zone, grabbed my lady balls and went for it. Cue the Rocky soundtrack now, “Eye Of The Tiger”, baby! Daaa-Da-Da-Da…Rising up to the challenge..!  What is waiting for us on the other side of our comfort zone is freedom, confidence, self-assurance, peace and happiness. Although I did need a stiff skinny margarita afterward. Just saying’. Not only were the attendees inspired by what the panelists and I shared, but it was a mutual exchange of love, respect and appreciation. Remember, sharing your journey creates connection and several people came up to me afterward and said “me too”. What a blessing. I’m truly grateful to the ATG President and Co-Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee for this opportunity. Check out this recap by the eloquent Lisa Petty for DFW Style Daily.

Whew, thank God I didn’t chicken out and shrink back. A healthy challenge always open us up for the opportunity to grow. When we grow, we shine. Are you shrinking back and staying stagnant…which ultimately dulls your light? The world needs your light, sista! This experience reminded me of my life quote by Marianne Williamson. I have shared excerpts from this quote many times on SOS and it is truly appropriate for today’s message of courage.

Please take a moment to read it again, word for word and line by line.

Let it sink in. 

Apply it to your life today and never look back. 

Love, Tiff

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“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.” 

― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”