What stops us from being authentic?

What makes us want to hide, only be a shadow of who we really are inside?

What is it that scares us so much that we would rather live in quiet misery than take that chance of letting someone see us?

The real us?

Not the polished, perfect us, but the messy us.

The us that doesn't have it together.

That fails.

That cries.

That doesn't have all the answers.

Why do we feel like the only way we have any worth is if we do everything perfectly?

Somehow, at some point in time, each and every one of us has built a shell, protecting us from everyone else.

Very occasionally we will see someone step out from behind their shell and be real, be raw.

Are you left in awe when you see that?

Or are you quick to point a finger?

"Look at that person!"

"Look at how silly they look!"

"How dumb they look!"

"Did they really do that? Did they think that would work?"

Have you watched people slink back behind their shell again and sighed with relief, glad that that was over?

Or does it cause you to long to come out of your shell too!!

To let the world see who you are.

Maybe you have been that person that has come out from hiding, only to feel naked, alone, afraid and exposed!

How long did you stand there before it became too much before you gave up?

I have bee both those people.

Maybe you have been too.

But I have decided to make friends with the fear, with exposure, with uncertainty and any loneliness that might come with that!

I have found that the longer I stay out in the open the more the fear feels like exhilaration.

The more the exposure feels like a release.

And instead of feeling lonely I feel like an invitation.

I have decided to like it out here in the open.

I hope that you will join me.

It was just a decision.

It was just one foot in front of the other.

It was just leaning into it when I wanted to back out.

It was focusing on what I was giving instead of what I was getting.

Small things but they change the way you live!

No longer afraid of your light, your power, your gifts.

No longer questioning your value and worth.

So decide that the next time you feel the fear, you will do it anyway.

The next time you feel unsure you will push through, that you will follow your dreams and sare your gifts with the world because the world needs you!