Time to Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel

Time to Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel

There is no time like RIGHT NOW.

I mean it: time’s a’wastin’.

Be brave – it’s time to channel your inner Dr. Suess.

 

Or, as I like to say: it’s time to lean in.

Leaning in has always been a method of growth for me, a way to have courage to be who I am and say what I think.

Just like a hand in poker you gotta decide: All-in (lean in)? All-out (lean out)?

What’s it gonna be?

FUN ASIDE: In poker, the term means that a player has put the last of their chips into the pot. When a player is “all-in”, they can not perform another action because they don’t have any chips left.

Leaning in to your life, to your business, to your personality, to your whatever, means you’re all-in.

Being all-in is leaning in.

Accepting that you’re going to slide ALL YOUR CHIPS into the pot.

It means you’re jumping in faith, you’re stopping the nonsense of lesser actions that have less risk and smaller payoffs.

Leaning in can be the most courageous thing you’ll ever do.

• You’re defying odds.
• You’re shutting out the noise of those who insist you shouldn’t – you mustn’t – you can’t.
• You’re taking a risk of the lionhearted: DO! STAND! LEAN IN!

Makes my stomach squinchy just writing the words, because I know the cost of leaning in.

Things I have been told my entire life:

1. Be quiet.
2. Conform.
3. I’m a lot for people.
4. I’m bossy.
5. I’m loud.
6. I’m too much (of whatever bothers that person).

I’ll be the first to tell you I am all of those things.

I’ll also be the first to tell you to step off if you don’t like it.

These days, the young folks call it being extra.

Have an EXTRA! personality and folks don’t get you? (um, HELLO!)

If you answered yes to feeling like you are a lot for folks (if you’re extra like me!), I know there have been many times you simply wanted to go along to get along – meaning you leaned out.

You didn’t embrace you. You took the easier path.

Man, do I know this feeling.

No judgement, just example.

Ever made a decision in your life that evokes unsolicited opinions of why you’re a dumbass? (ha! yes – speaking from experience)

My dearly departed brother-in-law and I had a saying we often offered each other in fun: You know what your problem is?

Folks love telling other folks how their decisions are boneheaded.

And I get if it was more than you could handle.

The stress of leaning in is not for the gentle with-the-flow manatees of this world. (now I wanna go swimming with a roly poly manatee)

Have an idea that’s before it’s time and you excitedly told others about it, and they looked at you, like, well, like you have too much time on your hands and HOOBOY!, that imagination! (over 30 years ago, after ruining Boy’s 1000th diaper because I had attached it too tight/loose the first time, I had a true light bulb moment – reattachable tabs! no more waste! – now common ever’where, with velcro. ~facepalm~)

There is a simple truth I want to share with you, one that may change the course of your life: find the voice within and listen to it.

Listen with all your heart.

Your life will change – for the better – for you – when you dare to listen to what you have known in your bones for all of your existence.

That voice, your intuition, leans in.

The voice knows all and wishes you’d take a hot second to have a sit-down.

It knows it’s not easy (if it were easy…)

When I find myself leaning out, I know I’m scared and need to correct course.

Scared others will be on to me. (Imposter Syndrome)

Scared to push against the popular view of the day (it’s exhausting being a woman of strong opinion).

Mostly, though, when I lean out, I understand what leaning in means: hard work. (MOMMA NEEDS A NAP, YO.)

Have courage.

Do not be swayed.

Do not listen to anything or anyone other than your inner whisperings – YOUR voice.

It’s time.

Believe you know what’s best for you.

Steady yourself.

Then, move toward the life you were always meant to live.

Take a step forward (even a teeny tiny one counts).

Be who you are.

 

Life is f’in’ hard.

Like I’m telling you anything you don’t already know.

Pop culture will insist you ride with the herd.

Have you seen headlines lately?

Doesn’t matter where you stand, difference makes folks itchy.

Be the same. Talk the same. Dress the same. Think the same.

If that is your leaning in – BRAVO.

If it isn’t (and for most of us – it’s not), stop leaning out.

There’s no payoff in that torture.

Be uniquely you.

Even in the fear of making someone not like you (NEW FLASH: Not everyone likes you now), embrace YOU.

Remember, Dr Seuss famously wrote:

Say what you feel.

The good doc was on to something.

He finished that quote with: those who matter don’t mind.

Amen.

My advice?

Lean in.

Always lean in.

No matter if you’re being who you and saying what you feel for business or personal reasons.

That’s where the magic hides.

Go.

Let your magic stun the world.

David Blaine ain’t got nuthin’ on you!

Originally posted: November 2, 2018. Updated Post: January 19, 2023

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