Shine Brightly & Shine Unafraid

Today, I learned the origin story of Medusa for the first time, and it was nothing like what I had historically understood. Far from being the monster of myth, Medusa was once a beautiful woman, unfairly cursed after a tragic event (in the myth, she was raped – though some retellings soften it to say she was seduced – regardless she was taken advantage of, yet it was she who was cursed while her assaulter faced no consequences). Her story made me reflect on how often we, too, are forced to hide our light because it threatens or intimidates others. But the truth is, we’re meant to shine. Our gifts, our beauty, our strengths—they are not things to be ashamed of. They’re what make us who we are, and they deserve to be seen.

Here are a few thoughts that really stood out to me as I reflected on Medusa’s story.

Don’t always believe the stories you’ve been told.
Obviously, one takeaway is to be cautious about the stories we hear. We may not have the full picture. It’s so easy to accept someone else’s judgment, but until we understand the whole story, we might miss out on seeing things with compassion and clarity. Approach each narrative with curiosity instead of judgment, allowing room for empathy and a deeper understanding. Trust your own instincts and take the time to see things for yourself.

Shine brightly and unapologetically.
This is the heart of it: we mustn’t let anyone or anything make us feel like we need to dim our light. Whether it’s our beauty, our talents, or our unique gifts, they are meant to shine. We often are tempted to shrink to make others more comfortable (or ourselves less afraid), but that serves no one. When you shine brightly, you give others the courage to do the same. But it’s not just about your light—part of shining brightly means uplifting others too. We have the opportunity to admire, cheer on, and support those around us as they walk their own path. By celebrating others’ light instead of feeling threatened or jealous, we all contribute to a world where everyone feels empowered to be their fullest selves.

Admire beauty without needing to possess it.
An additional observation is how easy it is to admire something so much that we want to claim it as our own. But there’s such a power in simply appreciating the beauty and gifts of others without envy or control. This applies not just to people but to anything we admire—whether it’s a beautiful piece of jewelry, an inspiring work of art, or even an experience. We don’t have to possess everything we find beautiful to enjoy it. By honoring what makes others or things special, we also make space for our own light to be fully seen and appreciated.

Closing Thoughts

There’s so much beauty and power in each of us. When we stop shrinking ourselves or letting others define our worth, we create space for that light to flourish – especially as we cheer one another on. So shine brightly & shine unafraid—you’re here to inspire and uplift, simply by being who you are.

Actionable Insights

• Embrace your light and let it shine. Don’t make yourself smaller to make others more comfortable. Let your gifts and beauty shine brightly; they are meant to be seen, and your light inspires others to do the same.
• Be a support and a cheerleader. Each one of us has so much to give, if you are in a place where you understand that, help others to find that place too. There’s room for all of us.
• Form your own opinions. Be intentional about questioning things and forming your own judgments rather than simply accepting what others say. Look deeper, with compassion and understanding, before deciding how to respond.
• Appreciate beauty without the need to possess it. Recognize the gifts and beauty of others without feeling envy or needing to claim them as your own. When you admire without possession, you create space for everyone’s unique light to shine.

“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 feel insecure around you. We are all 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