Motivational Monday: Don’t Dim Your Light

When it comes to walking in your purpose, pursuing your dreams and all that jazzy stuff, it’s so easy to want those closest to you to share in that momentum. But what happens when they don’t? What happens when everything seems to be lining up for you, but when you look to your right or to your left, the same is not happening for them? Do you start to dim your light because you feel a twinge of guilt? And not guilty like you’ve done something wrong, but guilty like you wish those closest to you could experience the same, but they’re not? You get all these amazing opportunities and then after awhile you stop sharing them because you feel like you might be bragging a bit?

Well listen: take it from someone who understands, don’t dim your light. Aunty O said it best: “You can’t go around dimming your light just to be walking with someone else.” We were all created for a purpose and each of us has our own journey to walk, climb and run through. Dimming our light just to make someone feel more at ease does nothing for anyone.

I received the postcard below last week from a sister-friend whom I absolutely adore. We’re working on a project that has us both scared for various reasons. So we are encouraging each other through the process. This beaufiful postcard was a reminder to me that in some areas, I’ve been playing small for fear of my light “shining too brightly” and having all eyes on me (I am soooo not a spotlight kinda person).

So I’ve decided to continue to #DoItAfraid, even if it means shining this little light of mine.

In case you need a reminder…

Have you ever found yourself “dimming your light” in hindsight? How do you continue shining your own light, while still being supportive of those around you, who aren’t ready to shine their own light?

Oprah - don't dim your light quote

Artwork by Benjamin Jancewicz of Zerflin.com

 

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11 Comments

  • Patrice M Foster
    February 16, 2015 at 12:54 AM

    Christine, Love motivational Monday…everyone need motivation on this day. It takes a strong person to take risk to pursue there dreams. “you can’t go around dim your light is true . If only everyone will believe. Great post.
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  • Tiffany
    February 16, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    Love This. It can be really easy to downplay your own accomplishments or goals because you don’t want to come off in the wrong way but that can also take away from who you are. I think the key is finding a balance. Thank you for reminding me to allow my light to shine.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      February 16, 2015 at 4:42 PM

      Thanks so much Tiffany! I totally agree with the key to being finding a balance between the two. Cause boy, have I seen it go to the complete other side of the spectrum at times LOL 🙂

  • Nicole
    February 16, 2015 at 10:32 AM

    I Love this. It’s so true that you have to let your light shine when it’s time for it to.
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  • Bree
    February 16, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Yes ma’am! I love that quote with Oprah. Just the motivation I needed to get through this Monday morning =)

    Bree
    Quirky, Brown Love

  • Melody
    February 16, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    Girl girl girl you spoke a word with this post. I often feel like sometimes I can’t talk about the amazing thing happening in my life without others feeling like I’m bragging. I’m glad I visited today because I’m definitely not going to dim my light!

  • Bernetta
    February 16, 2015 at 11:40 PM

    That’s one of those quotes you print out and frame. I want to teach my daughter this as she grows up. Be who you are at all times! Love it.
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  • Patricia
    February 17, 2015 at 7:54 PM

    Love it. Hopefully people around me will be motivated to shine as a result of me not dimming my light.

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