Turn that Light Back Up and Make it BRIGHT!

If you always continue to dim your light or downgrade yourself for others and your own ego's voice, how will you ever live to your full potential?  How will you ever know exactly what you're capable of?  The only person or thing that limits you IS YOU. 

There are always going to be people who are unhappy for you and jealous because you are an example of why there really aren't any excuses for not living their own dreams.  People like excuses.  Excuses are reasons that seem to prove why something cannot or should not be done.  Rather than take their words or actions personally, just keep moving forward because one day you'll inspire someone whose own joy will sound 1000 times louder than all the nay-saying voices put together.

There are always going to be people who are living, breathing broken records.  They repeat the same stories over and over again (sometimes with a change of characters and scenery, but always the same old theme), keeping themselves victims, always complaining, always seeing the worst, always looking for outside rescue.  They may not enjoy seeing your inner light and watching you take charge of your own life because that's a reminder that it takes action and work...and most of all, taking personal responsibility for their own lives.  They're reminded that it's not impossible despite all the excuses they've been coming up with.  But "oooooohhhhhh, that's too hard!  Who wants to have to actually be proactive and do all that work?"  And they resent you not because they really hate you, but because you don't fit in with their script they've been creating their entire lives.  Sort of like filming a movie for Romeo and Juliet and here you come in acting out the script for Shrek.  It just doesn't fit in with the anguished drama now does it?  One of these days, you might actually inspire someone to toss out their script or book and began a new book with the first chapter being the first step in taking back their lives.  You may never know it if you've moved on long ago, but somehow, someday, a feeling will overcome you that will be one of peace and resolution.

There are always going to be passive-aggressive people who say snide things as a "joke", or complain with a "ha ha" attached when you talk about something good happening to you, or express exasperation in what you share (such as "Gee, must be nice!  Some of us actually have to work! LOL!").  Again, don't take these things to heart and change how you talk and share, change what you post (I've been so guilty of this one in the past...I discovered that I was holding back on sharing some things on my other Facebook account because there's always one person who is going to make a sarcastic or judgmental comment, or be a Debbie Downer), or lessen your experiences lest someone think you're acting better than others or more entitled.  My gosh!  CELEBRATE YOURSELF, PEOPLE!  Don't hold yourself back!  After all, why experience the wonderful things if you can't embrace them and celebrate them with gratitude and wishes for more experiences like them?  Why can't you share great news with total freedom to express your joy?  Others can either invite themselves to your party to *happy dance* or not.  It's up to them.  But those who don't are going to be missing out on a good time.  ;) 

Look at it this way.  Where do you want to be in this moment?  Do you want to put all your energy into dimming your light and stepping down to join others at the level of moaning all the time that life isn't fair, that good things only happen to the rich people, etc.?  Or do you want to be already be miles down your path living your life and discovering your fullest potential of all that you are capable of along, with other people who have seen your light and would love to join you as well?  It's always a choice.  Even if you can't physically remove yourself from those who wish to hold you back so they can prove themselves right in their own stories, you can move miles ahead in mind and spirit.  As they once again say something that could possibly deflate the joy and pride you're feeling in a moment, simply say compassionately, "That's a shame (or I'm sorry) you feel that way."  And just leave it at that without feeding the fire or drama, even if your response makes them even madder in the moment because you didn't say your lines right in their scripts, like a director throwing a temper tantrum over an uncooperative actor.  Continue to move forward in the best way you know how, knowing that you are worthy of being all that you can be.