Marianne Williamson once said:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.“

When I first read this years ago, I didn’t really understand it. How could the idea that we are better than we think we are be something that instills fear? Then, as years passed her words began to resonate more and more within me. In life, many of us are raised to be a certain way, think a certain way, act a certain way, choose a certain career etc., all based on the influences of family, friends, education, television, and now social media. Of course it makes sense to worry that we aren’t enough… or in the case of writing and creativity, that our art isn’t enough.

But maybe it goes deeper than that. Maybe it is actually our light that frightens us more. Light brings attention, and also with that it brings more questions… What will the light illuminate? What aspects of ourselves and our lives will we see when we allow ourselves to shine and step out of the shadows? Most of us don’t yet realize that the shadows we stand in are being cast by the obstacles we, ourselves, put in our own way.

With 2020 just beginning many people are making resolutions. For me, resolutions have the energy attached of being temporary goals or lofty dreams that rarely come to fruition. So instead of using resolutions as another obstacle to keep me in the shadows, I am making the intentions and setting into action the very things that will help me shine my own light.

In 2020, my novel will be published for public consumption. This idea is unnerving, but also invigorating. As we speak, I have someone drafting up potential cover art and I am halfway through what may be the last edits of my book before print.

I have no idea what all this year will bring, but I know what I am willing to do and I know 2020 for me (on all fronts) is dedicated to removing the opaque obstacles around me so I can see just how brightly I can shine when I stop standing in my own way.

My wish for you for 2020 is to also find the area(s) of your life where you are still standing in the shadows and to challenge yourself to step into your light and shine that light out into the world. The world needs more light in times of darkness; the world needs your light… maybe now more than ever.

Cheers to a happy, healthy, and bright 2020!

– Jessie Cabella