Hilde Larsen – Are you dimming your light? I am not talking about the presentation of you, and who you want others to see you as, I am talking your inner radiance. Is it on full shine, or are you holding back? My guess is if you are anything like most of us, the dim is on.

The thing is, we tend to be afraid to shine — more so than to fail. Way more. Like me, brought up to believe showing my talents, my passions and my drive was a bit over the top, held down by those who were conditioned to stay smaller.

So, you see, being afraid to shine and show the world the very best side of YOU might be what you were brought up to do; to hold back your talents, your passions, the good, the bad AND the ugly, never realizing you can be proud of every aspect, and that only through shining your true color will you be happy and able to serve your very best.

But here’s the thing Happy people contribute to positive actions.

From my work as a Coach, I have found these common reasons why we hold back and hide our true expressions.

#1 Criticism and judgment

If you are a pleaser, you will HATE this. Not being able to please everyone. You need people to like you. If you shine, they might not like it. If you take too much space, they might see you and judge you.

Being judged and criticized by others have nothing to do with YOU. It is all them. When you show your true and authentic expression your energy level might trigger in THEM what they don`t want to acknowledge.

#2 Fitting in

This is a huge one for many. You might hate the idea of being different, of what people might think of you, of not being a part of the crowd, of standing out. It is easier to play small to fit in than to shine your own ideas and blessings. If you shine, you will be different.

You will no longer be like everyone else and THAT is a true blessing, embrace it.

#3 Being alone

When you embark on your own path you might have to walk alone for a while. Being alone can be a scary thing and stepping back to feel community can feel tempting. To lower your own standards and even accept that people or situations step on your mojo is easy to do when you are afraid to be alone. Note that loneliness and being alone is NOT the same thing.

If you shine, you will be alone at times, but you never have to feel lonely.

#4 Responsibility

Yes, here it is. Being your most amazing self requires that you take full responsibility and ownership for your actions and life. No-one to blame. THAT is a victim game. By claiming your grandness, you realize you cannot hide. If you shine, you are the BOSS. We tend to hide behind the curtain of blaming others for our mistakes, for why we couldn’t, why we shouldn’t etc. Others and situations.

When you step up and embody your full potentials you have to own it all. Scary at first, but more than anything FREEING.

#5 Being vulnerable

This is a tricky one. Being powerful makes everything real and authentic. No masks, no hiding. Others will see the real you. Shining makes you vulnerable, and to most people that is very uncomfortable. Being seen for who you really are will set you up for all of the above scenarios and ultimately lead to you breaking free from them all.

Being vulnerable is not a negative thing, it is part of our true nature. Strong leaders, successful explorers, happy and content enthusiasts, all have this in common. Always vulnerable, never afraid to fail, shine or be seen. It´s a trap that will take away your freedom.

Are you afraid to shine?

We are all holding ourselves back at one level or another. Some more than others. Me, I was literally sitting on myself, scared shitless of showing my full potentials. I related it to criticism. I was allergic to it. I was so eager to please and fit in that it became a lifestyle of stress; an achievement race. Trying to be good enough. For everybody else. Thinking it would make ME good enough.

It didn’t.

I was already good enough, just like YOU are. For me, it led to severe illness and pain. An acidic lifestyle will do that, meaning every negative thought, trauma, crappy food, stressful situation and fear you face will affect your health. If you are afraid to shine know this Everything we experience in our physical, emotional and mental body reflects on how well we shine. How small we play, how we are dimming our light, altering our expression and holding ourselves back from thriving. Especially us women. Holy Crap do we dim!

How do you shine your true self?

Start by looking at the way you look at life. What do you see when you glance into your future? Abundance and piece, joy and adventure? Or do you fill your plate with worry and fear?

Here is a short check list

♦ Are you setting goals for your future?

♦ Are you planning the year from your heart?

♦ Are you learning something new?

♦ Are you doing forgiveness and gratitude work?

♦ Do you have a positive outlook?

♦ Are you expressing your true self?

♦ Are you authentic?

♦ Do you do what you love?

You get the idea. The list is endless. The idea is to have this conversation with yourself and to realize that how YOU live is always better when you allow yourself to shine. Let go of that which doesn’t serve you. The fears, the ideas of not being enough and the bull crap that life and health is too hard. No reason will ever be good enough for YOU not anticipating YOUR amazing future, being the best version of you.

Believe me, I have heard them all.

The explanations, the reasons and the lack of faith and motivation; the lack of enthusiasm and motivation are large killers. They will cloud your vision; lead you to believe you are not good enough, not able, not worthy, and not at all a force of power.

A big fat lie.

As you look into the future, creating it through how you feel in the NOW, remember to aim high; to dream BIG, and to lean into your highest potentials, never holding yourself back. THAT would be a disservice to this world.

Had I listened to those around me when I was at my lowest low, I would most likely be dead. I had a vision, a faith and a will to explore that which was larger than my fear of pain, being alone and dying. I walked tall although that light was too bright for many. And although I feared judgement I kept on walking, knowing I would never be my best self by fearing my own strengths. My WHY was huge.

Find yours. Believe me, YOU are worth it!

My motivation was fueled by life-enthusiasm. I was hungry for LIFE and I still am.

Shine brighter and feel more confident! LIVING what YOU are here to live is what real health is all about. Healing the world. By SHINING. This is what the world needs. More light.

Hilde xo

SF Source Wake Up World Nov 2018