It is within, not out. I seemed to have spent my whole life wanting someone, anyone to notice me. I wasn’t looking for approval as much as I just wanted someone to recognize how special and unique I was. But every time I tried to show my greatness, my uniqueness, because it wouldn’t stay quiet, it got shot down, whether it was by teachers, family members or friends that couldn’t understand why I couldn’t just play by the rules. I tried to show my greatness through my talents, my job, even my personality. And when no one seemed to notice, I accepted that my life was insignificant. I spent years being invisible, hiding my God -given gifts, feeling that if people didn’t notice how great and special I was then maybe I wasn’t that special or great. So I sat back and watched and listened to those around me. I buried those feelings of greatness and I felt worthless, as if my life was all wrong. I told myself many stories as to the why. These were not good stories but they seemed to fit into how my life was going. And there were several times throughout my life that I thought of ending it. Thinking that no one would miss me anyhow so why not? Little did I know that others couldn’t recognize my greatness because they couldn’t see their own greatness. I had failed to look within, when all the time it was there.
Our greatness is a God-given birthright. If you were born, you have greatness within you. Each and every one of us has something to bring to this world, to make it a better place. Yet somewhere along life’s path we may have lost touch with ours. The excitement we had as children when we created something or found something new, only to be told, “ Don’t bring that into the house” or ” thank you” and then see our work of art tossed into the rubbish bin, has made us question our greatness. And much of the time, those around us were scared of their own greatness especially when someone near them started to display theirs. How dare they? They ask, we ask. Who are they to do this and that? To be this and that? And as Marianne Williamson says in her book, A Return to Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure.” She also says, “…Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”
So do you want to know how to be great? Well, be yourself. Let the greatness of the Infinite Source well up within you. Shine your greatness into this world and be who you know you were meant to be. And if you don’t know who that is, then take time to find out. No excuses. Only you can be you. As my favorite author, Dr. Joseph Murphy, claimed, “ You are here to release the imprisoned splendor within you. “ That’s you my friend. Go forth and be you, be free. Be great.
The Universal Secret They Never Knew
