Day One-Hundred and Four ... An Exercise

Tonight I was reading the book by Mike Robbins (almost done now) and there was an exercise in learning to appreciate yourself.

It is to make a list of your successes and accomplishments and strengths and qualities.

This was fun and entertaining and brought back many memories. The list was longer than I expected. It changed my mood a lot. For the better, of course.

What are your accomplishments and strengths?
-Nicola Byrne

Day One-Hundred and Three ... Quote of the Day

I was out all day yesterday working and after work celebrating a friend's birthday. When I got home at midnight it was late and way beyond my bedtime, however I am back to posting today.


A friend posted this quote on Facebook today and it was just what I needed to get me thinking and re-evaluating certain parts of my state of mind.

‎"All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy."

- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

I found this quote to be empowering. Everything is under our control. It is a message I see around me continuously, thankfully, because it has not quite yet taken roost. I need the reminders.


Happiness is an inside job.
-Nicola Byrne


The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs. 
-Joan Didion

Day One-Hundred and One ... Vegetable Heaven

I'm not a gardener and I don't play one on TV, but one day I really would love to grow my own produce. Until then though I have the orchard I can go to and pick vegetables to my heart's content.

I made a fun trip there this morning with my friend and stocked up on a variety of winter squashes. Delicata. Butternut. Spaghetti. Some yellow variety I cannot recall. I also picked some amazing tomatoes, okra and patty pan squash. Amazing!

It was the most therapeutic and relaxing part of my day. Nature soothes and adds perspective. It is so important to get outdoors and experience the wonders available in nature. I'm grateful to have so many opportunities to do just that here in Las Vegas.

Good night,
-Nicola Byrne

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.
-Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

Day One-Hundred ... My Top Five

Today's blog will be a simple one. I feel tired, maybe a little blue, and instead of giving in to that I choose to focus on the five things I am most grateful for right now:

• I am grateful for my wonderful job.
• I am grateful for my excellent health.
• I am grateful for my adoring pets.
• I am grateful for my supportive family and friends.
• I am grateful to live near a farm where I can pick my own organic vegetables.

What are you grateful for today?
-Nicola Byrne


He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
-Epictetus

Day Ninety-Nine ... Emma's Birthday

Today my neice turned one. I have only seen her in person once since she was born, but I have been able to see her grow through pictures and videos. She is adorable and a complete joy to her parents.

I am so grateful for my neice, even from so far away just thinking of her makes me smile!

Happy birthday Emma!
-Nicola Byrne

Day Ninety-Eight ... Changing States

Today I got back to reading the Mike Robbins book "Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation". I did an exercise from the book to "change my state". It is one of the steps to banish negative thinking. The suggestions for changing your state are to:

• get up and walk around
• laugh out loud (Off the cuff? At will? Can you do that?)
• yell at the top of your lungs (I'm having trouble picturing myself doing this ...)
• do something physical
• listen to uplifting music
• look at something that makes you happy (a picture, or photo perhaps)
• pray or meditate
• think of someone/something you love
• think of a specific happy memory

So there I was, sitting down reading, and starting to feel sluggish, even sleepy. I did not even feel like doing the exercise. Which, of course, meant it was doubly important to not pass it by.


I combined a few of Mike Robbins suggestions. I got up and went over to my rebounder where Trinity was sleeping on a big pillow. After petting her and listening to her purr I did some push-ups. Normally I would jump on the rebounder to get in some physical activity however, I did not want to disturb Trinity's peaceful napping. Or her purring, which is an uplifting or soothing sound to me all the time. I did some more push-ups because that definitely made me feel less than sluggish.


After I did those things I sat back down to note it all in the composition notebook I bought for working with this book. At the start I wrote down I felt sluggish and a little down. After the exercise I felt renewed. It worked. While I did not actually time it I believe that no more than three minutes had passed. I can't do that many push-ups ... 


This book really is a great how-to guide for changing your thoughts, your moods, etc. The greatest part though is as I read it there are so many coincidences ... Mike Robbins' mentor is Richard Carlson who wrote a book called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff". I have had this book for nearly ten years now and I cherish it, yet have been unable to read it because it was the last gift my Aunt Joni gave me before she passed away. It must be time to open it up now.


There are other such coincidences throughout the book that are fairly uncanny and it reinforces my desire to finish it and appreciate it while I read it.


I hope you'll try changing you state if you need to!
-Nicola Byrne


Something wonderful begins to happen with the simple realization that life, like an automobile, is driven from the inside out, not the other way around. As you focus more on becoming more peaceful with where you are, rather than focusing on where you would rather be, you begin to find peace right now, in the present. Then, as you move around, try new things, and meet new people, you carry that sense of inner peace with you. It's absolutely true that, "Wherever you go, there you are."
— Richard Carlson (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life)

Day Ninety-Seven ... Should-itis

Some days I am not as productive as I would like to be. Yesterday was one of those days. It feels like there is just so much I want to accomplish on my day off and sometimes the desire to relax outweighs the need to get stuff done.

Then I start to disapprove of myself and heap "shoulds" on my head. I should be doing this, I should be doing that... The result of that being my rest is not as restful, because I end up creating guilt and stress instead of enjoying it.

Is getting rest procrastinating? Is taking a day off a big old form of putting off what can be done today for tomorrow? Usually I know better, but for some reason this weekend I feel like I should (there's that word again) have had more to show for my day than a trip to the farm and a great squash blossom frittata. Well there was the roasted garlic and squash too...

Cleaning and laundry did not make the cut ... but a nap did.

Today I need to remind myself to be grateful for the day of relaxation and fun. Every day does not need to have a list of accomplishments to have worth or meaning. Human beings, not human doings. I can get so caught up in lists and checking items off the lists that I miss the forest for the trees. Not always, but sometimes. This weekend was one of those times.

Letting go of the "shoulds",
Nicola Byrne

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.
-Spanish Proverb

Day Ninety-Six ... Appreciation

Another great trip to the farm today! I love the view, the experience, the fun of searching and picking my own food. The freshness is truly a change for me.

I am so grateful to have found this farm! It is a wonderful thing to add to my list of things to be grateful for.

Good night,
Nicola Byrne

Day Ninety-Five ... Another Oops!

Thursday night I, once again, hit the hay without posting my blog. I had a great topic too. We saw the movie "The Adjustment Bureau". It was absolutely fantastic and really drove home the point of striving for what you want, regardless of what obstacles may be thrown in front of you.

I won't go into tremendous detail because I don't want to spoil the movie for those that may not have seen it, but ... in sum it was a very good movie to see for renewed energy aimed at attaining a goal. Or several goals. To not allow others to define you or your path in life. Choose it yourself and jump over the hurdles instead of changing course.

It is funny how the most perfect quotes, movies, books, people, or situations come along right when they should. It is even funnier that I went to bed thinking about writing about the movie ... without doing it. I guess sometimes you just need a good nights sleep.

Back again, in spite of missing another day,
Nicola Byrne

The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling.
-Lucretius

Day Ninety-Three ... Rich in Friends

My entire life I have been tremendously blessed and fortunate to have such great friends. Today was another such day where I had the opportunity to reflect on how special it is to spend time with a good friend. My batteries are recharged and I feel refreshed.


I just want to say I am genuinely grateful to all my friends. Old and new. For all the laughter, conversations, sympathetic ears (and eyes too, thanks to email), support, trust, and good times.


Friends make good times better and tough times bearable.


With gratitude,
Nicola Byrne


Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.
-George Elliot

Day Ninety-One ... More Reading!

Today's reading gave me a technique to transform negativity. Someone like me who loves to make lists and go from A to B or 1 to 10 absolutely does well with "instructions".

I am not quite midway through Mike Robbins' "Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation" and I had a good amount of time today to pick it back up and make some more headway.

Mike Robbins provides a technique to transform negativity that consists of five simple steps.

1. Acknowledge All Your Negative Thoughts and Feelings Honestly: This step requires a sounding board, a person who you can safely speak to without them judging what you say. Also without them offering commentary at all. Their purpose is to listen and allow you to share your fears, feelings, doubts, etc... You can also write write these emotions and thoughts down on a piece of paper or speak aloud (if you happen to be driving for example). The point of this step is to acknowledge your feelings and not suppress or stuff them, where they only grow bigger. Air them out.
2. Create a Clean Slate: This is where the person you are sharing with can parrot back what you have said. The point here is that when you hear your fears/worries/negative thoughts repeated they lose their power. When they lose their power, you have a clean slate.
3. Change Your Physical or Emotional Slate: The suggestion in this step is to do or say something loudly to create this shift. Jump. Yell. To quote Mike Robbins "If you're able, it's often good to yell, jump, or make a sound or movement that gets your blood pumping and gets you a little fired up." For Mike making a Tarzan yell works. Reading this brought to mind the movie The Karate Kid and Mr. Miyagi and Daniel shouting Bonzai in the movie. If I do this it will certainly attract abundant attention!
4. Verbalize and Visualize What You Want: This is always what self-help books suggest you do however not a single one I have ever read has told you how to get rid of the worries that block visualizing something positive. When you are all clogged up with worrying about what can go wrong or is going wrong visualizing an alternative is  a stretch. I liked that this step was led up to with simple suggestions.
5. Let It All Go: I think this is an obvious one. After going through step 1 through 4 let it go and stop worrying. Trust yourself. Choose to think positively.

Grateful for this book,

Nicola Byrne

Gratitude is one of the most neglected emotions and one of the most underestimated of the virtues.

-Dr. Robert Emmons

Day Ninety ... Peaceful, Calm, Accepting

While I know I still have a long way to go in feeling as peaceful, calm and accepting as I want on a daily basis, I have noticed an improvement overall. Letting go of having things "my way" and of "being right". Without forcing it or trying. Without actually thinking of it at the time I am going with the flow more than obstructing it. Later when thinking about my day I notice the difference and it makes me happy.

Resistance, attachment and aversion to things still make there presence known however. I'm only human. Ninety days of choosing better thoughts really has created positive change. They may be small, they may not be consistent just yet, but a pearl starts out as a tiny little grain of sand.

Persistence and time are the cornerstones of my progress. Yes, I have missed a few blogs in over the course of 90 days. And that's OK. This is a journey not a contest. I can't imagine anyone learning to juggle doesn't drop a ball or two here or there. In a way this is kind of like juggling. Juggling bad thoughts out and bringing in good thoughts instead.

Looking forward to day ninety-one,
Nicola Byrne

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
-Henry Ward Beecher

Day Eighty-Nine ... A Quote

No particular topic came to mind today. It was a good day. As I was reading quotes for inspiration this one grabbed me:

The important thing is this:  To be able at any moment to sacrifice that which we are for what we could become.

-Charles DuBois

Have a good night,
Nicola Byrne

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.
-Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Day Eighty-Eight ... Picking Vegetables

First thing on the agenda for today: something new. A trip to Gilcrease Orchards about 15 minutes away. A newsletter I received yesterday mentioned them. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday you can go to the farm between 7 a.m. and 12 noon and can pick your own vegetables and fruits for $1.00 a pound. The experience was fantastic. It was beautiful. There were plenty of folks around picking and hunting up fruits and vegetables, many with kids. The view of the mountains in the distance was breathtaking. It was still fairly cool.

I picked several different types of squash. Zucchini. Spaghetti. Barq. A giant Patty Pan looking squash called something else entirely. Two cucumbers more different than anything I have ever seen. One is going to go in a cucumber salad with yogurt dill sauce (note to self: stop at Whole Foods to pick up some dill and yogurt).

The orchard also had squash flowers for picking. I have never in my life had them so I picked only four to try out. Then I grabbed some onions. The vegetables really smelled so much fresher than anything you can find in the store.

Tom ended up carrying all the squash around, the bag started getting pretty heavy ... It is amazing how much we left with and how little we spent. What a fantastic find!

When we got back I set out to make a fresh vegetable frittata with squash blossoms. I stuffed the squash blossoms with a little bit of cheddar cheese, caramelized some onion slices and added sliced zucchini. It came out great. You could truly taste how fresh everything was. I have never made anything like it before.

What a great way to start out the weekend! I cannot wait to go back there again.

With squash recipes dancing in my head,

Nicola Byrne

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

-John Lubbock

Day Eighty-Seven ... Enjoying Simple Things

Even though the week was a light one work wise it still felt long. It felt so good to wake up and know it was Friday today and that Saturday follows tomorrow.

After work it was very enjoyable to stop at Whole Foods to pick up something to make for dinner. Making dinner was even more enjoyable. Sitting down to eat was very peaceful.

The better thought in a day does not always have to be fancy, sometimes it is just the comfort of being at home, enjoying a homemade dinner. To wind down from a long week.

Enjoying simplicity,
Nicola Byrne


Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
-Leonardo DaVinci

Day Eighty-Six ... Luck

My note from the Universe from yesterday:

A Life Coaching Tip from The Universe:

The time will come, Nicola, and it will be sooner rather than later,
when your greatest admirers and protégés will look at your life - your
achievements, possessions (especially your beautiful home in the desert), and passions - frown a little and sullenly say, "Yeah, but for you... it was easy."
At which point you should conceal any yearning you may possess to either
object or laugh hysterically. Instead, lovingly look them square in the eye
and say, "Yes, and it can be easy for you, too."

Get used to it,
   The Universe

It has a ring of truth in it. How many times have I looked at someone that seems "well off" and thought they were just simply lucky, completely bypassing whatever steps, effort, or beliefs it took to get them where they are. Someday I will be where I want to and someone else will be a few steps back on their journey and think the same thing. Not knowing all the time spent on learning different ideas, the missteps, battling with negativity, planting seeds for positivity, then seeing them wash away only to replant them again.


What we see is always only the tip of the iceberg. Unless we walk in another persons shoes we will never know the path or how many pairs of shoes they wore out along their own journey.


That email was a good reminder for me.


Moving forward, one step at a time,
Nicola Byrne


Luck is ... Laboring Under Correct Knowledge.
-Attributed to Mary Ellen Holden

Day Eighty-Four ... Sleep Attack

I woke up at 1:00 a.m. and realized I had not written and posted my blog, which means it is late! Today will have two. I really dislike when I do that however I won't go on about it.

Yesterday I intended to write about something I discovered while reading the book I am working on (Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation by Mike Robbins). There is some writing and note taking to go along with the book, in the form of questions and answers. Yesterday I took a self-test where you write down "problems" that you want to work on. After spending time doing that you move on the to next part which is write down the things that you are good at. It was a little surprising to me that the list of negatives outweighed the list of positives by more than double.

It was a good test to show where I am at on the choosing better thoughts journey. At some point later in the book after learning the five steps of appreciation the self test is repeated. It will be great to see an improvement.

Have a nice day,
Nicola Byrne

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
-John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Day Eighty-Three ... More Reading

Now that we have central air once again I have been able to think and concentrate and read a bit more. Reading to learn that is. Which means I returned to the book by Mike Robbins, Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation. It is an easy to read book and leaves you with a feel good mood even after a few pages.


Today I took a little quiz on "where negativity shows up" in my life.


Judgments and lack of appreciation were two that I identified. I'm not a big gossip, not that I'm immune it to it, but I don't initiate it or seek it out. However, judging things good or bad, I see that a lot in myself. What's a good exercise? A bad exercise? A good food? A bad food? I'm good if I stay busy and get a lot done. Lazy if I take time to relax. Those are certainly part of a parade of thoughts I can have on any given day. Anytime I get stuck in griping, whether it is just internally and not expressed, I am not able to appreciate anything around me.


Those are two things I want to improve upon. When I catch myself griping, I look for something to appreciate. When I hear myself think good or bad, I look for impartiality. To just see things as they are without prejudice. That is a challenge for me. I'm so used to labeling everything pro or con. Good or bad. One day I will be better at accepting and get away from judging. It seems to me that is a very peaceful way to be.

Looking forward to more reading tomorrow,
Nicola Byrne

Acceptance is observation of life and suspension of judgment about whether what is happening is good or bad, right or wrong.

-Ron Smotherman

Day Eighty-Two ... Blissful Central Air

Since I've moved to Las Vegas I have met some of the kindest, most generous folks ever. Thankfully, another such person came to the rescue and fixed our central air. A week without it is enough to ensure that I will not take it for granted ever again. The difference in energy levels for us and the pets is drastic. Those little key things in the background that aren't noticed until they are gone make such a big difference!


With lots of gratitude,
Nicola Byrne


A limit on what you will do puts a limit on what you can do.
-DEXTER YAGER

Day Eighty-One ... Poem By Dan Coppersmith

I read this poem today and it is truly beautiful. It is copyrighted and I'm not sure if it would be acceptable to post it in the blog. Here is the link instead: 


http://www.blissphemy.com/pages/poems/onlyu.html

Good night,
Nicola Byrne

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection.
-Buddha

Day Eighty ... Heat, Humidity and a Rainbow

There was no escape from the heat today! Thankfully I still forged ahead and accomplished my myriad self-assigned chores anyway! I also did some reading, both entertainment focused and some educational. A storm moved in and it rained for a very brief amount of time. Too brief ...

The rain cooled everything down a very minuscule amount. Any drop in temperature and humidity is a blessing right now. I stepped outside while cooking dinner and saw a beautiful rainbow. I took some pictures but it just doesn't show up on the small camera phone screen well enough. It was much prettier in reality. The sky really develops a lot of texture, color and dimension with clouds here. More so than I ever perceived in New York. Especially as the sun descends, then the clouds pick up some truly spectacular colors.

I can barely see the rainbow in the pictures, it is transparently barely visible over the palm tree.

I love rainbows,
Nicola Byrne


My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky...
-William Wordsworth

Day Seventy-Nine ... Friday Returns

As holiday weeks usually go this one seemed to fly by and here we are at Friday again. I am very grateful to have a day to sleep in (though I almost never do just knowing I could makes all the difference ...) and enjoy my day at a more leisurely pace.

There is still no central air or air conditioning and it is insanely hot. I am adapting and find I am far more even tempered and less cranky than I was on Monday. I am sure everyone that interacts with me can appreciate that ...

Even so I am looking forward to a hot Saturday. I have some goals for the day: to read and learn something new, do some cleaning, make something healthy to eat and get in a workout. I like to have a goal before I start the day this way by the end of the day I can enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

Thinking cooling thoughts,
Nicola Byrne

Only Robinson Crusoe had everything done by Friday.
-Author Unknown

Day Seventy-Eight ... A Nice Email from Tut

I love my daily (Monday through Friday that is) emails from Tut.com via "The Universe".

There's never been a conflict, Nicola, from which both parties
didn't have something very cool to learn.

That's why we call them parties.

Gr-r-r-
   The Universe

They are very simple, short, sweet and unfailingly motivating or thought provoking. They also provide a smile and we can never have too many of those.

Good night everyone,
Nicola Byrne

There's an alternative.  There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways.  It's a different way.
-David Carradine

Day Seventy-Seven ... When Discipline Becomes Rigidity

I was speaking today with a good friend who reminds me so much of myself. We are both very disciplined, set a plan or a goal and do quite single mindedly pursue it. However, sometimes a plan needs to be adjusted, delayed,  and re-evaluated. Discipline keeps you on track. Rigidity goes beyond discipline to cause a stress that need not be there. Discipline is a grand thing. Rigidity reminds me of the story of the mighty oak and the reed. And that is what my conversation with my friend reminded me of today.

The Oak and the Reed by Jean de La FontaineTranslation by Eli Siegel

The oak one day says to the reed: —You have a good right to blame the nature of things: A wren for you is a heavy thing to bear. The slightest wind which is likely To wrinkle the face of the water Compels you to bow your head— While my brow, like Mount Caucasus, Not satisfied with catching the rays of the sun, Resists the effort of the tempest. All for you is north wind, all seems to me soft breeze. Still, if you had been born in the protection of the foliage The surrounding of which I cover, I would defend you from the storm. But you come to be most often On the wet edges of the kingdoms of the wind. Nature seems to me quite unjust to you. —Your compassion, answered the shrub, Arises from a kind nature; but leave off this care. The winds are less fearful to me than to you. I bend and do not break. You have until now Against their frightening blows Stood up without bending your back; But look out for what can be. —As the reed said these words, From the edge of the horizon furiously comes to them The most terrible of the progeny Which the North has till then contained within it. The tree holds up well; the reed bends. The wind doubles its trying; And does so well that it uproots That, the head of which was neighbor to the sky, And the feet of which touched the empire of the dead.

There are so many times that I set out to do something and in my single minded drive to be disciplined I realize I am causing myself and those around me far more discomfort than good. There are times when going with the flow does not equate to being lazy or undisciplined. It simply is acceptance of the fact that there is more than we see to life and like driving a car sometimes a road is closed or there is a pothole and you need to adjust course. It doesn't mean that you aren't going to arrive at your destination. There just may be another stop along the way that is needed and you didn't even know it.

That reminds me of another saying:

Men plan, fate laughs ...

Visualizing ice cubes,
Nicola Byrne

Don't miss the forest for the trees.
-Author Unknown

Day Seventy-Six ... Hot Hot HOT

I was unable to post yesterday due to no internet and no central air. The storm knocked out the central air on Sunday night. I have to admit that focusing on the positives opportunities, lessons, and moments is a challenge when it is close to 100 degrees inside. I feel bad for the pets, however they oddly enough don't seem quite as cranky as I feel. Maybe I can learn something there?

Anyway, this is why there was no post on Independence Day (Day Seventy-Five). The internet is back (gratitude, definitely ...) however sitting upstairs in the 100 degree office won't last long.

There will be someone coming to look at the central air unit tomorrow ... and after that we should have some sort of plan as to when the house will be cool again.

Living in Las Vegas is wonderful and beautiful but central air or at least air conditioning is a non-negotiable requirement during June, July, August and September (or most of it). This is clearly another instance of taking something for granted until it is gone ... I have a feeling I will be mentioning my gratitude for central air more in the future ...

I hope everyone had a great Independence Day,
Nicola Byrne


Don't look where you fall, but where you slipped.
-African Proverb

Day Seventy-Four ... Lake Las Vegas

We were rained out today at Lake Las Vegas. No fireworks either. None the less it was wonderful and fun and beautiful. There was amazing lightning. The deluge was incredible. I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Gratefully,

Nicola Byrne

For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day Seventy-Three ... Holiday Weekend

This is my first July living in Las Vegas and my first 4th of July holiday here too. Also, in just a few weeks it will be one year since I moved here. These past eleven months have brought many challenging opportunities for growth.

They have also brought many wonderful experiences. Hiking at Red Rock. Walks in Pueblo Park. A Chris Isaak concert. Exploring the Las Vegas strip. My first Christmas in Las Vegas. Dinners at Sirio and Jean Georges. Line dancing at Stonies.

Not to mention making new friends ... one of the best experiences anyone can have.

I am grateful to add this weekend to my list of wonderful experiences to be thankful for!

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. 
-Albert Camus

Day Seventy-Two ... A Quote

I read this yesterday and loved it and decided to share it today:

"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 and fabulous?' 

Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn't serve the world.  There's nothing enlightened about you shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us 

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-- Marianne Williamson

Good night,
Nicola Byrne