c. michelle bryant

The other day I was in a seriously melancholy mood, contemplating my place in this world and my purpose on this earth and I must admit I was truly somewhere between choosing the option of Jesus coming or sleeping all day (either one sounded really good to me at thetime). I was telling a very good, lifelong friend of mine this when they spokethe most tender words offered as both guidance and reassurance to me. They said something so profound that the words rang in my soul and quenched me even days later. These words were given so tenderly and with such compassion that days later I was still quivering when I thought of them… “Be beautiful,and let the world catch up.”

Just thinking of those eight words even now – makes my heart flutter. What awonderful way to say “do not be afraid to be yourself”. It also reminded me of another quote that I’d heard that had once served as a reminderof the same kind… to be unique, to be me. For that is who my Creator- hadcreated. I used to have it on my bathroom mirror. It read:

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 is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feelinsecure around you.
We are meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission todo the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automtically liberatesothers.
(~Marianne Williamson)

Girl, its time to focus on the sparkle, even on the tough days. Especially on the tough days. ! encourage you to embrace who you are: quirky, eccentric,unconventional as you may think you might be. You are still a gift from God tothis world. Be bold. Be yourself. And dont ever forget, you are beautiful-Godhas made YOU a gift – it’s up to the world to catch up to what you have tooffer.