It’s a fundamental human need to be seen and heard, but in order to satisfy this need, we must be willing to be seen and heard, to be witnessed by others. This dilemma can present a dichotomy for some of us because it requires placing ourselves in the spotlight.
Maybe we were taught not to call attention to ourselves for safety or other reasons. Perhaps we were raised to believe speaking of one’s own accomplishments is akin to arrogance. Or maybe a natural shyness makes it just plain uncomfortable to have eyes and ears upon ourselves.
I found myself exploring my own unexpected feelings around being seen and heard while discussing the novel I’m writing with one of my mentors. I agreed to share with him a draft of my book as the milestone for when I complete a six-month study to aid in developing my voice as a teacher, but all the while I was silently freaking out. Why, in the face of my dream to teach and inspire as an author and speaker, did I feel reluctant to share the story with him? After all, having people read my books is at the heart of my very dream coming to life.
I was surprised to recognize the root of my unease to be discomfort with being seen and heard, a discomfort of which I hadn’t been so acutely aware up until that moment. I’m not shy, and I’d already put myself out in the world in a very public way through my website and my writing here, so what was different about this?
There was an element of fear of how he, and others, might perceive me when they read my book, but the more I stared my fear in the face, I realized it was an illusion. It was my Ego in high defensive gear, wanting to preserve an impression she’d like the world to keep of me, an impression the book might influence.
If we hold back and prevent ourselves from being fully seen and heard just to maintain status quo, we can’t possibly claim the authentic stories of our lives.
Each and every one of us is born to bring forth greatness into the world, our unique authentic stories. To back down from sharing all that we are and prevent ourselves from being witnessed, from fully acknowledging ourselves and allowing others to do the same, is to do a disservice to the very life breathing us.
It’s the birthright of each and every one of us to shine our brightest light in the world so that we may encourage and inspire others to do the same.
Honor the greatness in you beckoning to be seen and heard. Step into the spotlight and allow the Universe to witness you in all your unique glory. Claim the authentic story of your life.
