“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”
The first thing that comes to mind after reading that quote is, “Enough said!” But let’s dig in and pull out at least 10 benefits of you being your awesome self that can rock your world with very little effort on your part. After all, you’ve been you since you were born, you know.
1. Wherever you go, there you are.
Let’s face it: you can’t even go to the bathroom without you tagging along, so making peace with your authentic self can make every experience on this path of life much more interesting and entertaining. When you’re at peace with yourself, you’re more open to being present, which means you’ll notice and enjoy the intricacies of the “small stuff.”
2. When you like you, others will like you too.
People can always tell when others are being fake. Not necessarily fake in the negative sense, but fake in general. Maybe you’re unhappy, overly happy, always the victim, or maybe just not living up to your true potential. When you’re in tune with you, you automatically–yet non-verbally–give those around you permission to get to know and like the real you as well.
3. Being you will give you confidence.
Now that you’re trying on your own shoes instead of walking in someone else’s that are too small, you won’t have to focus on the pain of pretending. You can walk taller, throw your shoulders back and hold your head high. Regardless of your gender, you know wearing stylin’ shoes that fit makes you feel better about yourself and puts a spring in your step. Let that confidence carry you through the whole day–and the whole day after that.
4. Confidence attracts confidence.
Like the quote says, your playing small does you or anyone around you absolutely no good. Your being yourself for the sake of being yourself will attract more authentic people into your life and create a network of supportive, uplifting and even fun folks you can genuinely call friends.
5. Having true friends helps you silence the voice of manipulation.
When you’re comfortable with you and have people around you who also love you for you, the void of feeling alone is filled and the need to “play” people for the sake of not being alone disappears. You free up space for your relationships to grow and become even healthier than they already are.
6. Being authenticly you allows you to breathe easier.
Hiding and pretending can be emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually exhausting. The more you allow your essence to mature, the less stress will be in your life and the more relaxed you’ll be in every area of your life.
7. Less stress makes you more productive.
You know it’s true. When you’re not stressed out and can focus on what’s going on in front of you rather than trying to live as who you aren’t, your productivity in your work, your play and your life in general will skyrocket.
8. Those who no longer fit in your life will be free to move on.
Like attracts like, and when you’re able to be comfortable in your own skin, those who aren’t comfortable in theirs may get left behind. And that’s just fine because you’ll have your network of new friends who keep you playing in the big leagues.
9. Being true to yourself will help you remember how to dream.
Surviving each day being untrue to yourself just to survive the next steals your creativity and passion. Allowing yourself to dream again will open doors you deadbolted years ago and lead you to your purpose. Imagine actually living each day inspired and doing what brings you joy. Believe it or not, it’s entirely possible!
10. Everyone else is already taken.
You have been wonderfully made, and no matter what’s happened in your life up to this point you have a purpose that no one who’s ever lived or will live can possibly fulfill. You were born to shine. Hiding your brilliant light from yourself and the rest of the world is an injustice to those of us who need what you have to offer. If you’re still struggling with being yourself for yourself, will you at least consider doing it for me? If not for me, find someone close to you who you know 100% needs you and your whole self and do it for them. We–those of us in this world–need your light!!
“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” ~Dr. Seuss
