“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.” 
--- Mariann Williamson

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One Heart Against the World

By Doug Nielsen

As a child, did you have a belief that you could make a difference?  That you were born to do something special?  Something that only you could do?  Where is that belief now? 

As I was preparing for an upcoming speech, I asked Jenilee, a child nutrition association meeting planner, what her ultimate goal was for my speaking to her group.  Her response stopped me in my tracks. 

She said, “I want every student’s fondest memories to be made in the lunch room.  I want the lunchroom to be the highlight of their educational career.”

This blew me away!  I have never met anyone as transparent and vulnerable as she was.  How amazing for the lunchroom to be the highlight of a student’s educational career?  After all isn’t it just a lunchroom?  Isn’t she “just” a school lunch lady?  Who is she to have such lofty goals?  Really! 

To the cynic, her vision sounds idiotic, preposterous and laughable.  The cynic replies, “You honestly believe that a lunch lady can be the highlight of a kid’s school experience?  It’s great to have a vision, but let’s be realistic.  She only spends 25 minutes a day with the kids and has very little one on one time.  It is a nice idea, but unrealistic.”

Jenilee’s response to the cynic would be, “Yes, I honestly believe that I can be the highlight of a child’s educational experience!  Not only do I believe it, I have proven it over the years.  The food I serve not only feeds the body, but the love it is served with feeds the soul.”  In our conversation, she exposed her heart and soul by stating such a precise goal.

Isn’t there a part of you that wants to be strong like Jenilee?  Isn’t there a part of you that wants to be fully alive without the worry of what others think may or may not be possible?  Can you imagine the freedom she feels by being at the helm?  Why not go big?  Why not dream?  Why not revive some of that wonderful childhood belief that you are special and you are here to do something that only you can do?  Why not go big and believe in something that stirs your soul and brings you to life?

Where could you use a little more vision? 

We are born with this passion and hope and then life beats it out of us.  We learn not to risk, to dream, or be vulnerable.  We learn to “settle” and in doing so part of us dies! 

Jenilee, against the odds, has kept her heart alive.  I want to invite you to keep your heart alive as well.

This Month’s Invitation:

Please forward this to at least one friend who could use an uplift today. 

Until next time, smooth sailing even in the storms and remember to Take Life By The Helm!  

P.S. 

It’s a fantastic read loaded with energizing strategies for living a courageous, adventurous and deliberate life!  Easy to order at http://www.dougspeaks.com/products.html or at amazon.com.

Doug Nielson's new book is a reality check for anyone wanting more out of life.  It's challenge is simple and straightforward - the quality of your life is your own responsibility.  Doug makes me look carefully at the choices I make and take ownership of the results.  If you're serious about taking control of your life - buy this book!   Joe Calloway