Kind of a weird question right?  But as this year has played out for me with conversations I have had and the feedback from friends and family, there have been several times where I have been left deeply moved by hearing the impact I have had in other's lives.  And when I hear this, I am usually thinking, “Ummm... I am just trying to get through my life as best I can in the best way I know how.  How is that making a difference to you?”   I share that not to be boastful or minimize the impact, but rather to make the point that I often take for granted or don’t consider the impact I can have in my community and how much it can mean to people.   

For me, thinking about how and where I make a difference and being accountable to that responsibility challenges me to consider how I can be the best 'me' as often as possible.  That's scary because that's not always the easy choice and it often requires tough decisions, risks, vulnerability and learning new things.  But like with saying no, that’s also where the magic in life can happen for you and those around you. This is one of my favorites and a great reminder...

Our Greatest Fear

by Marianne Williamson

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 and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

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.