Chapter One: Shine Your Light (Write Like Glennon Doyle)

Shine Your Light.

The Whisper is real.

“Start writing and blogging again Stacey.”

I’m hearing it again and again. Louder and louder.

“Start sharing your journey to freedom + liberation Stacey.”

I know it’s time.

Then my inner critic jumps in and says things like:

“Who do you think you are? Glennon Doyle? Why do you think anyone wants to read your memoirs? Why do you think they’ll embrace your truth and journey the way they love and appreciate Glennon’s memoirs? Who do you think you are? It’s safer to keep your story quiet. It’s safer to stay small. It’s safer to not share your story. To not expose yourself. Stay quiet Stacey. That is how you’ll stay safe.”

The details of my story are nothing like Glennon’s details. But I keep hearing the whisper:

“What if you wrote like Glennon Doyle?
What if you wrote like Glennon Doyle?
“What if you wrote like Glennon Doyle?”

If I listen even deeper, I don’t hear the question… hear the guidance:

“Write like Glennon Doyle.
Write like Glennon Doyle.
Write like Glennon Doyle.”

I hear the whisper:

“You are ready to share your story.
You have gifts.
And your gifts matter.
Share your truth.
Share your journey.
Shine your light.”

Then I’m reminded of Marianne Williamson’s words…

“Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. 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.”

Today I chose to shine my light.
Vulnerable. Raw. Exposed. Free.

And just like that… with ease and grace… I think I just wrote my first new blog post.

Aho.
Ama.