It's OK to shine

We were playing a game as a family this week and my husband won.  Instead of feeling happy about winning he felt guilty that he beat us.  My son crawled up on his lap and said, "daddy, it's important to care about other people, but it's also important to care about yourself and it's good to feel happy when you win even if someone else loses."  I thought these were incredibly insightful words for a 9 year old. 

How often do you find yourself down-playing your accomplishments or skills so that other people won't feel bad that they don't have those things too or think that you are arrogant because you do?  It really is OK to feel good about yourself and all that you have learned and accomplished.  A wise friend of mine once said, "it's not better, it's just sooner."  As you grow as a person, you may figure some things out that other people are still struggling with.  It doesn't make you better, you just got there sooner and it's important not to pretend like you haven't.  It's OK to let your light shine.  It's more than OK, it's important, to really radiate the beauty that you are.

If you tend to downplay yourself to others, try sitting with yourself and explore why you feel like you need to do that.   If you gain any valuable insights, let me know.