Being Your Unabashed Self

You have a lot to offer. When others belittle you because they think they’re better, they prove they’re worse.

Lady Godiva by John Collier, c. 1898 (public domain - Wikipedia)

“Be yourself — not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” — Robert Edwin Lee and Jerome Lawrence, 1970

The most recent issue of Timeless & Timely was all about the Spotlight Effect — making us feel self-conscious because we think everyone is paying attention to us.

Just last week, in the runup to the new Barbie movie, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer shared images and videos of a brunette Barbie in her pink Corvette at the Michigan statehouse:

Lil' Gretch at work

After some people began trying to belittle her, share she shared this thought:

“When I first ran for governor, someone said to me: “Just promise me you’ll show up as you are. Don’t dim yourself because of what other people think and feel, be who you are.”

I’ve carried that message with me through all the ups and downs.

Together, we work to create spaces and structures that empower women to show up as they are and allow them lead from the front.”

It was a powerful reminder from a leader who has become a role model to many women—and men—about being true to your convictions.

When we consider why someone is belittling us, the reality paints a sad picture of their reality. Consider some of the reasons: