Dear Powerful Woman

Dear Powerful Woman,

I want you to know that I have been there just like you. I understand your fear, anxiety, and terror around your own immeasurable beauty and power. I was born a bright light, as we all are. Throughout my life, as time went on, I chose my experiences and wounds, and began to hide my essence and dim my shine.

When I was young, I mistakenly learned that each time I asserted myself with men, other women, and with society, it was better to be the “good and appropriate girl” in order to survive. It was safer not to bring attention to my light. So, I lied to myself and bought into the illusion of the American dream that was sold to me. You know that one – the one about the house, the kids, and the money?

For a long time I chose this illusion of repression and perfection. I somehow thought that if I stayed within the proverbial lines, that peace and happiness would float by, and I could just jump on that boat. Well, I’m here to tell you that I was sadly mistaken!

It took many years, much heartache, and running into a ton of brick walls before I woke up from the proverbial American dream. I finally realized that I get to choose my aspirations for life every moment of each day. I realized that I am here for one reason and one reason only – to inhabit this body that is my vehicle in which I experience beauty, grace, joy, and peace.

That is the real dream!

The truth is that all of us already own the skillset and wisdom to choose the life of our dreams. But first, we have to discover what we really want. Not what we have been told we should want. If we don’t define clear intentions for our lives, we will spend our lives looking for something that doesn’t exist. We will continue feeling powerless. We all want to find that endless well of power that overflows inside of us.

When I say the word power, I’m talking about a different type of power than that which is defined by our society. It is the inherent power to claim our lives. This feeling allows us to embody our truth with no apologies to anyone. Not our family, not our kids, not our partner – no one.

So, with grace and effortlessness:

Embrace the power and light that you brought into the world when you were born.

Allow it to SHINE each and every moment.

You are probably saying…

“It’s all fine and good to say that I have the power, but how do I actually find it?”

Here’s my humble advice:

• Commit to curiosity. Be open to all that you experience and know that the world is yours for the taking.
• Envision limitless possibility. Make a commitment to stop the “shoulds” and to start the “coulds.”
• Understand your story. Commit to healing and work your edge to come into an awareness of who you are.
• Own your life. Take responsibility for your actions.
• Cultivate Conscious Choice. Refuse to play a victim to your consequences. Look at every person and situation as your teacher.
• Surrender to what is. Even when you judge it as messy, fat, ugly, or angry. Embrace “what is” in this moment.
• Take Assertive Action. Set your intention to wake up each day and ask yourself, “What am I doing on this planet? What do I want to get out of this day?”
• SHINE your light. Don’t hide your power out of fear, anger, blame, or self-judgment. Define your power and BE that power.

Life is so short. Live it with gratitude. Awaken to your beauty, your power, and your wisdom. Don’t squander your gifts. Shine on for all of our past and present sisters who have suffered. Let your light be a beacon for future generations. We owe it to the women who came before us, as well as to ourselves and our daughters, to make the most of these lives we have been given.

Remember what Glinda the Good Witch said? “You’ve had the power all along, my dear,” so radiate your power and light all the days you are on this Earth.

Big love,

Kelly McNelis