What Lies Within You

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the ripple effect.

Like a drop in a pool of water, our lives touch other lives. We don’t really know how one action might affect someone else down the road.

Mother Teresa famously said, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Isn’t that beautiful? Can you imagine the ripple effect of Mother Teresa’s life? How many people did she have a positive effect on that went on to influence others, who went on to impact even more lives?

Even one moment can have exponential reach.

In my own life, I am reminded of my mentor Jim Rohn and all the positive ways he influenced the world.

In the 80’s I studied under him and just soaked up his amazing intellect and positive thinking. I studied at his ranch with a great group of people.  A couple of them have gone on to create their own positive corner of the universe. Probably the biggest is Tony Robbins, arguable the world’s most successful motivational speaker.  

I know each of us has that potential. We don’t all have to become famous motivational speakers like Tony Robbins or saints like Mother Teresa, but whatever part we do play in the big picture is worthwhile.

Meaningful.

Praiseworthy.

This is why it’s so important to continue on the journey to our best selves. When we are our authentic selves, we have so much more impact on the world. I don’t want you to hide what is awesome, powerful, beautiful and uniquely YOU!

I have shared the following quote from Marianne Williamson often, because it is so powerful.

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'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.

Are you feeling that you don’t know where to start or maybe don’t know where to go next on your journey? A great place to begin is by finding a good mentor or role model. Ask yourself who has the kind of life that you’d want to have?

It can be someone you know, or it can be a professional thought leader (with the advent of the internet we have availability to people and ideas like never before!). Be careful to Identify people who share your values and who encourage personal growth.  Work with someone who builds you up, not tears you down.

And remember that everything you do has a ripple effect in the world.

Give your best every day!