It’s easy to forget that the only thing required of us is to show up as ourselves.

We buy into the story that we are never enough or that constant improvement and a sense of lack challenge us and how we want life to go. Yet when we stop, settle into ourselves and listen to the quiet voice inside, we are reminded that each of us is the unique expression of our self that the world needs, right now, in this moment.

The reminders of this truth are all around me. In meditation — which I try to do each morning (still working on that )– I was reminded that grace and gratitude are linked. I’m listening to a 21-day series from Oprah and Deepak and it is just what I need to hear. The visualization of myself as a candle, placed outside and bathed in sunlight to the point that I vanish and become absorbed into the light, reminds me to simply be. Be my truest, most authentic self. Then I can remember that I am part of a greater truth, a bigger reality that is the beauty of all creation. My light is contained within a bigger light.

Last night I watched the Netflix documentary, “Knock Down the House” which followed the 2018 campaigns of four women who stepped into the fray and accepted the pull of the moment to show up. Of the four, one won and three lost: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Amy Vilela of Nevada, Cori Bush of Missouri, and Paula Jean Swearengin of West Virginia. As I watched these four women consider who they are, whether they were ready to run a race, grapple with the realities of campaigning, and dealing with the significant push-back they received, I was inspired by their courage and respect their determination to be themselves.

There is so much change, turmoil and conflict all around us right now. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged and wonder how we are going to be okay in the midst of it all. Just breathe. Be still. And then be grateful for exactly who you are. Because the world needs each of us to show up exactly as who we are. Together, we are one big light.