Live Big
I came across this cool quote this summer. It's probably not new, but it's new to me and I love it. Here it is:
"You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world." —Marianne Williamson
I intend to print this quote out in bold color and big font and tape it to the refrigerator for my children to see in honor of back-to-school. If you have been in my house, you know that there are quotes and definitions adorning my fridge all season long. There are words and phrases that inspire me, ideas that I want my children to learn, to absorb. Occasionally there is a funny email or a silly joke, but it is always something "wordy." More often than not, there are simply words and meanings, there for them to soak up every time they grab the milk. For me, it feels good to surround myself and my people with words that I like.
Generosity.
Happiness.
Confidence.
Peace.
Joy.
Inspire.
Family.
But back to my new favorite quote. Playing small. Today we drove home from South Carolina, and on this long drive I was thinking about how these words impact my own life. I found that I could easily confuse "playing small" with "acting small." Different kinds of small, I believe. Acting small is easily mended, usually in the moment. But playing small? Fixing this would require a commitment to LIVING BIG.
Am I living big? And what does that mean? I am a child of God, and my playing small doesn't serve the world. In my life, what does it mean to ensure that I'm not playing small, that I am living big enough to serve the world?
When I wrote about the Olympians the other day, I wrote in total admiration of their talents. Everyday they shine, by using their gifts fully and completely. From childhood classes to Olympic training sessions, they have treated their talents with respect and care, and then on the biggest stage in the world, they show the biggest audience—the WORLD— how big they live.
I am not an Olympic athlete. (Surprise.) But on those days when I do not shine, when I let fear hold me back, when I say "I can't" instead of "what if?" am I playing small? What is it that God has fully planned for me? When I do not trust myself to follow, am I not allowing myself to have the biggest possible life that I can have? What is my Olympic stage, and what will happen when I stand on it and open myself to all possibilities?
Today, when we were almost home, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky. I had to laugh, because I was just trying to figure out the "living big" thing in my head, and it was as if God sent me a very colorful message. "See this guy, Christy? He lives big. HE rides in a hot air balloon. "
In just four short days, the children are heading back to school, and back to everything else: sports, dance, choir, theater, church activities, academics, band, orchestra, art. There will be no playing small. There will be joy, there will be fullness, there will be trust, and there will be living. Big. So when I feel unsure and negative, when I feel like playing small, I'm going to try to recapture some of that trust and just live. Bigger. I hope you will, too, because I'd hate to be cheated out of whatever it is that you have to offer this world.
"You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world." —Marianne Williamson
I intend to print this quote out in bold color and big font and tape it to the refrigerator for my children to see in honor of back-to-school. If you have been in my house, you know that there are quotes and definitions adorning my fridge all season long. There are words and phrases that inspire me, ideas that I want my children to learn, to absorb. Occasionally there is a funny email or a silly joke, but it is always something "wordy." More often than not, there are simply words and meanings, there for them to soak up every time they grab the milk. For me, it feels good to surround myself and my people with words that I like.
Generosity.
Happiness.
Confidence.
Peace.
Joy.
Inspire.
Family.
But back to my new favorite quote. Playing small. Today we drove home from South Carolina, and on this long drive I was thinking about how these words impact my own life. I found that I could easily confuse "playing small" with "acting small." Different kinds of small, I believe. Acting small is easily mended, usually in the moment. But playing small? Fixing this would require a commitment to LIVING BIG.
Am I living big? And what does that mean? I am a child of God, and my playing small doesn't serve the world. In my life, what does it mean to ensure that I'm not playing small, that I am living big enough to serve the world?
When I wrote about the Olympians the other day, I wrote in total admiration of their talents. Everyday they shine, by using their gifts fully and completely. From childhood classes to Olympic training sessions, they have treated their talents with respect and care, and then on the biggest stage in the world, they show the biggest audience—the WORLD— how big they live.
I am not an Olympic athlete. (Surprise.) But on those days when I do not shine, when I let fear hold me back, when I say "I can't" instead of "what if?" am I playing small? What is it that God has fully planned for me? When I do not trust myself to follow, am I not allowing myself to have the biggest possible life that I can have? What is my Olympic stage, and what will happen when I stand on it and open myself to all possibilities?
Today, when we were almost home, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky. I had to laugh, because I was just trying to figure out the "living big" thing in my head, and it was as if God sent me a very colorful message. "See this guy, Christy? He lives big. HE rides in a hot air balloon. "
In just four short days, the children are heading back to school, and back to everything else: sports, dance, choir, theater, church activities, academics, band, orchestra, art. There will be no playing small. There will be joy, there will be fullness, there will be trust, and there will be living. Big. So when I feel unsure and negative, when I feel like playing small, I'm going to try to recapture some of that trust and just live. Bigger. I hope you will, too, because I'd hate to be cheated out of whatever it is that you have to offer this world.
Hello Christer!
(The above is supposed to rhyme with "sister" - not "heister.")
Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that I'm picking up what you're putting down - I love taking a quick break from work to read bits and pieces from one of my favorite authors! Your tag-line might be "For a Mom's Faith," but there's good stuff in here for everyone.
Hope to see you soon!
Love,
Jimmy
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