I was talking with a couple friends of a couple weeks ago and the theme of authentic sharing keeps coming up.  In when and what to put out there into the world. When are we ready to speak up, share ourselves and who we actually are or whats in our heart for what we are called towards (Hint: we are never “ready”)

So often we are called to speak up or do something to expand but hold ourselves back.

We will never feel ready to do the things that scare us

The doubts creep in.  Is it enough? Will it be well received?  What will people think of me?   Am I doing the right thing?  Is there something else I should be doing? X does it better, maybe X is supposed to do it. What if they don’t get what I mean? Will people treat me differently?  How will others react? Will I be fired/rejected/abandoned/hurt? 

You get it.  

The myriad of different ways in which the voices inside start to make a convincing narrative of negative possibilities.

It’s funny that those voices (that committee, as I call it) never talk about the opposite.

Like: What if you make somebody’s day?  What if you change someone’s life for the better?   What if you said exactly what they needed to hear to turn everything around for them? What if  it led to your greatest adventure? What if you were answering their prayer? What if it brought you a promotion/brought you together/brought you to new levels of connection?

All because you dared to tune in and follow through with the call you received.

We don’t know how we are meant to impact each others lives, yet the most important of anything to do, is to actually show up.

Thats the thing about those voices. For whatever reason, they aren’t really interested in your success.  They will say whatever is necessary to stop you from showing up.  From being that change for yourself and for the person you are serving (and the world, I dare say)

The secret is always in confrontation of that contractive fear (these little voices) that the truth (and your power) and purpose is revealed.  Are you willing to follow the directions despite the whispers?

The truth shows up when you stand in those places of fear and uncertainty

Oh so convincing they are.  Sometimes you probably believe it.  I know I buy into it.  Again, more often than I’d like to admit. So very logical.  And yet, we aren’t here to be pure logic. If we were, we wouldn’t have a heart and we wouldn’t be spiritually connected to everyone around us and we wouldn’t have all that much to learn.   And I don’t know about you, but I know there’s a lot I don’t know. And a lot of experiences I’ve had make no sense.

The one thing I have learned to rely on over the years though is listening to how I receive information, spiritual information, emotional, mental, environmental – paying attention to what’s going on and pulling my strings to move in a certain way.  How am I being prompted really?  And what am I being influenced by?  Its a learning process but one that is worthwhile in seeking wholeness and healing (joy, happiness, love and all the good things in life)

Those places where you hear the most protests (and fears) are your dead giveaways.  It doesn’t mean you suddenly have to leap to the deep end of the pool.  And yet, the invitation is there (and in my experience has found, will remain there indefinitely for you to say yes to it)  God is extremely patient in holding space for you to choose it, and yourself. To more deeply know Him and yourself.

God does not create nor want you to be in fear, so it must be something else

And yet the incessant worrying often gets in the way.  If X. We are told SO MANY THINGS about how to do things – and yet – the way you are to do things, ultimately will come through you and your connection – NOT how somebody else is doing it.  And will (maybe) lead you to a person or resource you need or you’ll get the answer yourself. There are as many paths as there are people, because we are all unique in how we are made and in the way we are meant to unfold.  Part of that is listening and paying attention and receiving how we are being led and another part is NOT paying attention to that committee, the barrage of opinions, the media, the marketing (need I go on..). and hone in and focus on the doing while remaining flexibly receptive enough for its unfolding.

In all cases though, it requires that willingness to set aside ‘what we’ve been told’ or what we tell ourselves – in order to listen to how we are actually being prompted.  There’s a place for you here, that you can only fill.  And it requires you to follow your own promptings.   And rest assured, guaranteed, if its worthwhile and good, the voices and apprehension will start and convince you you’re not ready or X will happen.  

But you are.  

If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have received the prompting  in the first place.  You are ready.  

And the world is waiting for you. We need you.