Doing the exact same routine or schedule not because it’s the smartest or most efficient but because it’s the most comfortable and familiar. Doing for others before yourself even if you have a need next line not asking for what you want or need. Afraid to make decisions. No living toward a dream because of the second guessing if it’s right/ should I? Not set boundaries because they don’t want conflict. Not stepping into the authority they have in their lives/ not even recognizing that they have choices. Choosing the safest path by default. Tiny boundary schedules routines so not upsetting others. Don’t speak up on behalf of self or others. Except status quo even though you suspect life can be different. Feel guilty for needing or asking or even being.
Hoping that by playing small others will like/connect to us because we’re doing everything we “should” be doing but not what we really want on a deep level.
Marianne Williamson wrote this: 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. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
The opposite of playing small isn’t playing big or full on.
It’s showing up – one day and moment at a time and making authentic choices that come from who we really are. Asking for what we need... being who we know we are called to be...not being afraid to be, think or do what we know is true for us.
