I am drawn to the limelight. I love to bask in it. This is true. Chasing it however has always proved to be less than satisfying. The moment fleeting, the joy short lived.
I am also drawn to my light. My source energy like roots to water, also draws me in another direction. Sometimes this light is just a flicker in the darkness, i get a glimpse of what truly matters and then, the bright lights of the stage come on. The applause like an ice-cold cola on a summer afternoon, feels just perfect, and then the sugar rush subsides and only the heat remains.
The pull of the stage. The desire to ride the trend. To find my place in what is topical. To be out and about all over town. “See how important I am…” every event and panel discussion a chance to show the world how smart I am. All doable, and often worthwhile, but not meaningful or sustainable unless rooted in my realness.
My relevance shines when I stay rooted in my realness. No pretence. Just honest presence. And then the light ignites and oftentimes the limelight follows. Which is lovely to bask in but not the calling. Chasing the limelight versus seeking the light within. Both doors lead to different destinations.
What is success? What truly matters – to me, not to the world, but to my inner world. What matters to the people who don’t care only about the applause, but who care deeply for me.
Success keeps shape-shifting like a shadow. What is success? The answer depends on which door you are knocking on. The door of external validation or the door of inner meaning and purpose. The second door can also lead to applause, but the first offers only applause, and applause is a fickle master. So one has to keep performing – again and again and again. Dancing to the tune of an ever-changing audience.
A strong reputation is built on this insight of realness. It is rooted in reality and not led by just the need to please. No whitewashing or greenwashing, just showing your true colours and allowing the audience who values those particular colours the opportunity to appreciate its brilliance.
The need to perform well, in itself is perfect, the reason for the performance is the question. What is the performance in service of? Who is the performance for? Limelight or your light. Make the choice.
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