I started writing this blog a few days ago, intending to speak in general terms about the less-than-helpful stories we tell ourselves. You know the ones: Perhaps as innocuous as “I can’t parallel park” or “I wish I could remember names.” Or perhaps more triggering, more painful.
I then briefly hopped on Facebook and saw a brave and inspiring post by a lovely client, Lisa. Here’s a portion of what she wrote (shared with her permission):
We all tell ourselves stories, every day.
Sometimes they’re positive, and often they’re not.
Sometimes we’ve invented them based on thoughts or experiences, and other times they’ve come unsolicited by others.
Sometimes they’re relatively minor, and sometimes they run long and deep – impacting how we carry ourselves, what we believe we can accomplish, how confident we feel, and more.
And so often, too often, we don’t realize we can change the story.
Lisa realized she could change the story. She shared a bit more about her experience in her post, then went on to say:
Listen to that little voice that tells you maybe they were wrong. Whoever they were and whatever they were saying…they’re wrong. You rock and you’re beautiful. There. Consider me your candle today.
What story has been holding you back from living and working to your absolute full potential? What makes you feel small, not worthy enough, or less than?
Change that story today, right now. If you do nothing else today or this entire week, fine – this is your most important work in this moment.
Because when you rewrite your story how YOU want it to go, you take back your power, you step into yourself, you let the best and brightest parts of you shine and inspire.
And, like Lisa, you serve as a candle for others.
Rewrite your story, and repeat it to yourself often. The world needs what only you can offer, and you can only offer it when you let go of the stories that hold you back and replace them with your beautiful, true, and authentic self.
Your true, authentic story is steeped in your purpose. Unsure what that is? Spark can help – click here for more.