“ It dawned on me how often I’d suppressed myself over the years, how I dim my light so it wouldn’t blind others or make them uncomfortable around me. At certain moments, I even dumbed myself down or chose not to talk about the many blessings I had received. I feared that if I shared my experience in its entirety, if I took the lid off my joy, it would push others away or make them feel small. Some part of my spirit was always signing up for less because that is what I believed I deserved. For so many years I thought I was just being modest. I never wanted to come across as self absorbed or as someone with a big head. It’s how we women are brought up; don’t ask for more, don’t take credit, don’t outshine others.”
