During my morning reading, the author made reference to my favorite quote by Marianne Williamson. I’ve loved this quote for many years, but the section that jumped out at me this morning was “your playing small does not serve the world”. This concept is part of the theme I want us all to live by this year! You may remember my new year wish that stated, “Laugh loud, love hard, live big”. Coming across this quote today solidified this theme for me.

Are you going to join me? 

Read the entire quote slowly:

“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”

• Have you been living small?
• Are you afraid of your innate power?
• Do you realize (really, really, realize) you are a child of God?
• Do you dim your light and shrink around certain people?

I lived small, wasn’t powerful, didn’t know my worth as a child of God and would shrink back for years. I even wore brown, beige or black during that period. I know that’s why I was so drawn to this quote. It resonated with me and has been a driving force behind SOS.  2015 is our year to shine brighter and by doing so we will give others the freedom to shine their brightest as well. Yes, there will be those who feel threatened by your radiance, but DO NOT dim your light so they will feel comfortable. Some friends will prefer the small you because it makes them feel big. A true friend will grow with you and support the new, shinier you. Shrinking and dimming is truly a disservice to the world and a slap in God’s face. He created you to shine! 

The world does not need more women playing small. As my motto says, “confident women change the world”, so it’s time to stop dimming your light. The world is desperate for it. It’s time to stop holding back and start stepping out.. and struttin’ it! It’s time to stop crying and start laughing. It’s time to stop needing and start believing. It’s time to realize your gifts, share them and stop hiding them.

Small thinking leads to small actions which lead to a small life.

Big thinking leads to big actions which lead to a BIG LIFE.

Which do you choose?

Make a comment and share how you can live bigger in 2015.

Love, Tiff