A few weeks ago I was preparing for a visit from some dear friends who hadn’t been to my house in over a year.
Naturally, that sent me into a crazy, house-cleaning frenzy. Top to bottom, every room was to be organized and presentable.
As I found myself shifting a stack of books on a bookshelf to be just right, I asked myself why I was doing this. Was I trying to look like someone I’m not? Then this thought crossed my mind…
“I don’t want to be someone I’m not; I just want to be the best version of myself.”
It stopped me in my tracks.
The truth is, you can love who you are and where you are in your life, and still want to improve.
Improving who you are doesn’t mean changing who you are – it just means discovering what you want out of life and reaching inside of yourself to muster all of your strength, courage, and devotion to pursue it.
I’ve seen it a million times, in my own life and in others’, whenever we go to up level our lives, our ego kicks in – that little part of ourselves that hates change. It’s the voice that tells us we’re happy where we’re at, this really isn’t so bad, and we’re lucky to be here - who do we think we are for wanting more?!
Let's look at nature for some guidance on this...
The rose doesn’t open halfway and say, ‘you know what – I am so beautiful right now, I don’t need to bloom the rest of the way’. No! It says, ‘you think this is gorgeous? Just wait…’
Wanting to put our best foot forward, to lose the weight, to get the promotion, to have a more loving relationship, to buy the house, or to have the books arranged on the shelves just so – doesn’t mean we’re vein or insatiable. It may simply be a reflection of our potential. We know we have so much more within us.
The truth is, pushing ourselves to be the best version of ourselves, to be the fullest expression of who we know deep down we can be, is terrifying.
This beautiful and brilliant quote comes to mind:
"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
I prepared for my friends’ visit the same way I prepare for the next ten years of my life – what do I want this to look like? What does the best expression of who I am look like? Now, let’s get to work!
You may have a pulling on your heart to change things up, to keep going, to challenge yourself, to go further than you’ve ever gone before, to stare fear or difficulty in the face and do it anyway. DO IT.
If you’re looking for permission, here it is.
You are here to be great. You are here to be the best version of yourself you can be. You are here to reach your fullest potential.
Get clear about what that is, feel worthy of it, and keep refining until you get there. Tweaking one stack of books at a time…
Wishing you a wonderful week.
With love and gratitude,
Robin
Ps – if this resonates with you, and you're motivated to discover the best version of yourself, but not really sure where to begin. This is what my coaching program is all about! Reach out to me and let's get this ball rolling!
You may also be interested in last week's Monday Motivation where I talk about creating a vision board. Check it out!