Inspiration Comes In All Kinds of Packages

I just had dinner with a friend and the dialogue we created was an example of true synergy - more than either of us could have put together on our own. It was enlivening and engaging and fun and the time just flew. Her comment on the way out was "I was so tired when we first got here, but I'm totally energized now. I get that from being with you."

There was a time in my life when I might not have been able to accept that compliment. Why are we so hesitant to hear acknowledgement of who we are being in the universe?

Lately I've seen many examples of how the Universe is conspiring to make things happen in my life. I'm listening to Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" right now on my brand new iRiver MP3 player. Talk about inspiration! Not only do the words of the song lift me to a new place, but Josh's presence is amazing. The passion in his voice is so powerful. What if he had said, "Who, me? Be an amazing singer?" Where would the world be without the Josh Grobans or the Michaelangelos or the daVincis or Beethovens or the Stephen Hawkings? What if they had fought against their own gifts and destinies?

I'm starting to understand that for myself. I have definite gifts and talents and it's really not up to me to determine how I should shine in the world. The Marianne Williamson quote keeps popping up for me these days - and so many more aspects of it seem to come to relevance depending upon the day or situation. Here's the quote:

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 is not just in some of us; it is 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

I'm beginning to understand more and more that as I get out of my own way, my presence automatically liberates others to be who they are meant to be - even if it means I'm supposed to say hi to someone I might not have said hi to before, which, as happened in the hallway at my office today, opens up a really meaningful conversation about the war in Iraq - a topic I've avoided having a conversation about because I don't think I know much about it. If I'm truly listening, it doesn't really matter what I think or what I say about it. If I'm listening to someone - really listening - it allows that person to become powerful about his or her opinions and try them out on a neutral - and supportive - audience.

If I can allow myself to be who I am supposed to be - warts and all - and practice being an objective observer and suspend judgment every day, it allows all kinds of power to be generated and stepped into.

It's making a difference in my business relationships as well as my personal ones. Inspiration - being in spirit - really does allow me to remember things I do know, but just forgot.

Watch for ways you can make a difference in your own life by just getting out of the way. Let your own light shine and watch the light spread around you. It's truly a sight to behold!