Be Great.
Written by Emilie Maynor
with Inspiration from Chrissy Lasseter (my sweet sista!)
Original Post on I am the F Bomb
“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. 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. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Dear friends leading a moderately well-adjusted, normal life. I know you. You feel relatively happy, but wonder, is there more to life? Life isn't necessarily bad, so why do you wish it better? How selfish can you be - right?There are people with real problems and you want more?! GEEEEZE! If this sounds familiar, then you know the self-imposed guilt that comes with it. I'm here to tell you, you're holding yourself back from greatness.
"I was desperate, but yoga changed my life" or "I was an awful person, then I ate healthy and my life was awesome" or "I was a drunken mess and now I'm sober and live a perfect life." Ok - so those titles are totally made up, but you know what I'm talking about. Those eye-catching "must-read" wellness articles that are written with the good intention to inspire us all. Can I be honest? They don't exactly give me the warm and fuzzies. In fact, I end up feeling like because my life hasn't been bad, I can't truly experience good.
As a society, we are so overly sensationalized, that normal life feels like it's not enough. Our troubles aren't legit because they aren't as bad as someone else's. We carry a sense that to have impact and importance, we need to rise from the ash. Life must be desperate and full of struggle, before you can experience the joy and wonder that it has to offer. I'm just not into that. I think you're awesome. If you're like me, you do not live in those extremes. For most of us, it's just the usual ebbs and flows of life.
Here's the truth: You are important.
You can be average, normal, Hell! Even happy and still experience more greatness, passion and self-importance. In fact, Greatness is not dictated by your shortcomings. Greatness is experienced by those that attempt to have a better life - whatever that means to you.
Ok, lets be clear. There is a feeling of accomplishment in rising from the ash and it's valid. I'm not downplaying anyone's struggles or triumphs. I just don't believe that's the only way to experience growth. I mean, what if you are not totally burned out? What if you lead an ordinary, stable life? Can you still experience positive change? HELL YES! How about we shed the guilt and just be great?
As a Wellness Coach and Yoga Teacher, I work with women to make positive life change and empower them to live a happy, nourished life. Self-imposed guilt is the primary obstacle most of my clients experience when going for the great life they truly desire. So, I came up with these 4 factors to help you Be Great.
Just be Great, The Four Factors:
1. Empowerment- You are strong and capable. Believe it and pursue things that perpetuate a feeling of self-worth.
2. Effort - A happy life takes effort. Do you put in the effort to allow yourself happiness? Structure and discipline can actually give you a lot of freedom
3. Ease - Does your life allow you to breathe? Being great doesn't mean you are too busy to enjoy your process.
4. Possibility - What makes your heart sing? We all need a dream and options to make life interesting. Give yourself permission to dwell in possibility.
Wishing you guilt-free, Greatness,
Emilie