I had lunch last week with a friend I haven’t seen in several years. She is still just as fabulous as I remember her, gorgeous and well-put-together while being incredibly fun and down-to-earth. As we shared highlights of our lives, I had a memory of how I used to feel when I was around her – not as pretty, not as fun, not as witty, not as “together.” I just DIDN’T MEASURE UP.
I no longer feel that way, and I’d like to think the shift was a result of increased wisdom, although maybe I just got older and tired of my stories. Another friend Kathy says “if you think you don’t measure up, you’re using the wrong yardstick.” That is one of the wisest, truest things I have ever heard. In my coaching with women, we work together to create your Brilliance Statement – a description of your true, unique, authentic gifts, talents, and inherent sparkliness. It’s your own personal yardstick and you ALWAYS measure up.
Imagine if we all walked around with our own measuring sticks! I’ll appreciate and admire the gorgeous, fun, put-togetheredness of my friend while luxuriating in my own classy, elegant, centered intelligence. (Carol shares a similar story – read it here.)
My invitation to you: throw away all of the yardsticks you’ve collected and create your own. Then get busy admiring and appreciating the brilliance in all of the women around you. Shine, dear friend!
