I Am Awesome.

Period.

Yes, I have my vulnerabilities and insecurities. They are all over this blog but I do have a certain belief in my own ability to make things happen for myself. I feel no different about my friends and most people with whom I come into contact. My family always encouraged me to do great things even though (I'm learning as an adult) they may not have actually believed what they were saying. They taught me that I really could do anything. I internalized that, not only for myself, but for those around me. I had dinner with two old friends this weekend and they poked fun at my list of things I accomplished (in their own supportive ways) and followed it up with how awesome I am. It took me a second to say, "Yes. I am awesome. I can own that." But I also wanted to remind them that they are equally awesome. I only set some goals and went after them. Some I accomplished. Some I didn't. Then I decided (after a lot of internal debate and struggle) to share them with friends directly and ask for feedback to help me set next year's goals as opposed to just blogging about them. I didn't do that to make myself seem big in the eyes of others but only to force myself to reach out and to trust them to support me.

My goal is never to make anyone feel as if they can't do anything. In fact, I'm always the person encouraging people to do the thing that they think they can't do. I remember encouraging the high school bf to take the exam to get into an AP course that I was in and to reapply for job that I got that he didn't. Both worked out in his favor. I find myself encouraging b. to do things or at take steps towards some projects that she says she wants to start. (See my comments here.)

I plan to blog about my accomplishments, and lack there of, later this week. Please know that my own reflection upon, and celebration of, my own accomplishments is not meant to take away from those of anyone else - only push my own growth further and if it pushes you to take one step towards your dream, even better. Expect me to encourage you, and help if I can, if you share your goals and dreams with me. I honestly believe that you can make it happen. If you aren't at a place where you can tackle your own awesome adventure, join me on one of mine.

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, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are 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. ~ Marianne Williamson