The vision I’ve imagined for my time here is pretty simple.

I want to show up to life with all of the bravery and loveliness I can muster in service of making the world a slightly brighter and more beautiful place. That’s it, that’s all.

Perhaps it’s not particularly revolutionary, but taking a sacred stand for your truth on a regular basis can be easier said than done.

Being the fallible and fragile human that I am, it’s infinitely easy to lapse into that place of fear, scarcity, and self-doubt where the efforts to bring my vision to life can seem either downright futile or overly indulgent. And it doesn’t take long before I can start sliding down that slippery slope of comparison and inadequacy, incessantly worrying about judgment from others.

At this point I’ve gotten pretty damn good at talking myself down from the ledge before I jump back into that safe place where I’m not constantly being called upon to be more visible and vulnerable. Yet, I’d be lying if I said that I don’t still struggle with being wholly seen in my raw authenticity. So it’s really become a matter of deciding over and over again that love is bigger than fear and entirely trusting that my message can serve as medicine for others.

Enter in the MANIFESTO OF A SUPERNOVA. It’s at once a soulful statement of intent, a daily affirmation, and a declaration of devotion. And it never fails to drop me fully and firmly back into my message and mission in rapid-fire time:

Now more than ever, the world urgently needs more women who are awakened, enlivened, and emboldened.

At this time in history, our planet is positively aching for more mothers, lovers, and leaders who are unapologetically walking in the blazing brilliance of their light.

Choose the path of the feminine supernova.

Be guided by gratitude and surrender to bright faith.

Trust that there’s clarity in chaos; it’s where the lessons and blessings live.

Playing small is an insult to the universe and a slight to your divinity.

Decide to rise at every possible opportunity.

Light begets more light. Your shining is a liberating force for others.

For me, this manifesto has served as encouragement incarnate and pure motivational magic. There’s unequivocal power in making the time and space to distill the most heart-centred wishes you have for yourself and the world.

As you ease into the articulation of your own soul story, I highly recommend you consider penning a personal purpose-driven proclamation. I wrote this particular one for more universal adoption, so try it on for yourself to see if it fits on your journey towards luminosity. Shine on, bright one!

A few footnotes for deeper understanding...

BRIGHT FAITH

I used to love the idea of “blazing truth,” but when I recently became reacquainted with the idea of bright faith, it resonated so deeply.

According to author and Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg, bright faith “is a state of love-filled delight in possibilities and eager joy at the prospect of actualizing them.” She says, “Bright faith goes beyond merely claiming that possibility for oneself to immersing oneself in it. With bright faith, we are lifted out of our normal sense of insignificance, thrilled as we no longer feel lost and alone. The enthusiasm, energy, and courage we need in order to leave the safe path, to stop aligning ourselves with the familiar and convenient, arise with bright faith.”

CLARITY IS A GIFT OF CHAOS

Hard times, heartbreak, and hurt feelings suck, but more and more, I’ve come to see that these things happen for us, and not just to us.

The darkness we walk through across our lives intensifies the infinite light that burns within us. While our brightness may dim in times of desperation, devastation, and despair, the embers of our true essence are never wholly extinguished. As I’ve said before, I wholeheartedly think that dissidence, strife, and struggle can be powerful teachers if we’re open to receiving the gifts they offer.

I truly believe that personal leadership requires us reframe our “baggage” as precious cargo that we carry with us on our journeys home to ourselves. And while it may seem counterintuitive, our deepest fears and biggest hurts can present our most profound opportunities to lead and to use our lives as powerful forces for change and recalibration in our homes, communities, and the world. As Nietzsche has said, “One must have chaos within oneself to give birth to a dancing star.”

REFUSE TO PLAY SMALL

When you commit to unabashedly lighting up the world with your purpose, passion, and truth, you illuminate the path for others to follow. However, when you actively opt out of using your natural gifts, talents, and strengths to be of service in the world, it’s an insult to your divinity and much like giving the middle finger to the universe.

For me, this reality came into glaring focus when I came across the following quote from Marianne Williamson in 2013, which radically transformed my outlook on life and ultimately altered the trajectory of my life forever:

“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. 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.”