I spoke recently to a group and one of the questions they asked me has continued to circulate in my mind. I keep thinking of additional answers, not in a “I-wish-I-had-answered-it-better” kind of way, but rather, in a deeper understanding of my own truth to the question.
The question was, “How do you teach about such things at your young age?” (Everyone in the group I was speaking to happened to be older in age than me.)
First, I must admit, I don’t think I’m at such a young age anymore! (I recently saw a quote about how I’ll never be as young as I am today, and I’ve never been as old as I am today. Always true!) But being young has consistently been a challenge for me in my professional career. I have been blessed with good genes, and combined with a near obsessive use of sunscreen, I have often been mistaken for a younger woman. It’s a blessing, to be sure, EXCEPT when you are judged critically as being too young to be credible or knowledgeable.
However, the question didn’t make me go on the defensive. It was asked sincerely, without cynicism or doubt in my abilities.
Initially, I was reminded of my first job out of college, working for the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, where I managed a group of volunteers who were breast cancer survivors and were mostly my mother’s or my grandmother’s age. I respected their knowledge and experience and approached them as a servant leader. I did push them – such as shifting all their resources to computer rather than notebooks and making them all learn how to use computers – but I recognized the value they brought to the group, as well as sharing my strengths.
“How do you teach about such things at your young age?”
The question also makes me think of the somewhat ridiculous name of “life coach.” As if I have all of life figured out and am telling people how to best live theirs! (That’s not what coaching is.) I do not believe I have everything figured out…far from it. But I have learned some amazing tools that have helped me tremendously in rewiring my brain to work more FOR me than against me, as well as tools that help me regain my peace and balance much more quickly when life, as it sometimes does, knocks me off. My life has been impacted by coaching so incredibly that I can’t help but want to share this with others, so they too can experience the joy, peace and success that I’ve been blessed to experience.
“How do you teach about such things at your young age?”
Additionally, the question brings to my mind Marianne Williamson’s often shared quote:
“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’s 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’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
And so I will continue to speak, teach and coach to people of all ages who will listen, about my experience, my truth and what I have to offer the world. Because if I shrink away from it, believing that I’m not old enough, accomplished enough or accredited enough, I’m not helping anyone. And in braving the potential critics or naysayers and doing it anyway, I just might make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Where are you shining your light? Where are you hiding it?