Each of us has a little light within us. From the moment we enter this world, that little flame is protected by those surrounding us, until we are taught to recognise and nurture it for ourselves. Our parents are usually the first to place their hands around our little flame, protecting our light from being extinguished. Then our curious siblings are drawn to our light, and are able to feel the unconditional warmth that seems to exist from the first moment we enter the world. We begin to grow. We are surrounded by influential people, such as our teachers and peers, who help us to first recognise the little light within us. Through these people, we learn to place our hands tentatively around our flame and feel the wind slap against the back of our hands fighting to put out ever growing fire.
As we get older, we surround ourselves with people who we can trust to hold their hands up too, in support. We create an invisible, unbreakable wall around that light- and are able to watch it grow. As we meet other people, our flames unite, growing more and more- becoming stronger than ever.
But I want to remind you, that there will always, always be the people standing off to the side, sarcastically slow clapping their hands, as your light shines.
Although I’m technically still a child, yet to reach sixteen, I’ve come across my fair share of negative people already.
Unfortunately, this industry that I’ve fallen in love with in particular, is renowned for attracting or creating bitter personalities. It can be brutal, particularly for a young girl, to experience. You meet people who simply leave you unable to respond to their demeanor. You don’t know how to approach their level of negativity. I’ve had many a night of hot tears over people who have attempted to bring me down, and in all honesty, a couple of people have almost succeeded to do so.
But something that I want you to take away from reading this- is to never let these people blow out your flame. The thing is, a lot of these people are ignorant of how much support you’ve needed over the years, to let your little light shine. The majority of the time, these people that you come across, don’t know how far you’ve come, how long you’ve had your hands raised to surround that little fire within you so as not to let it blow away. They don’t understand how difficult it has been to ensure that that light remains bright. They will never, ever understand how long it took for you to even recognise such a thing existed within you. And that is why it is so easy for them to stand from the sidelines, exhaling as much as they possibly can to put out your light. I know it’s hard to understand why people want to prevent you from shining, because to you it seems so immoral as you know how hard you’ve fought to keep it lit.
But they don’t, nor will they ever understand. Because those people are far too insensitive and self absorbed to ever take the time to truly get to know you and the fight you’ve had. They will never understand the warmth of that light within you. And they will spend the entirety of their lives wanting to shine in the same way you do, instead of taking the time to find such a light dwelling in themselves.
So, no matter how many people try to stop you from sharing your light with the world, I want you to move your hands closer to that little flame and never back down until the world can see your fire burning bright.
We allhave the ability to shine. Just as much as we allhave the ability to stand back and join those who choose to ignore their light.
But I know you, will do great things.
You will be brave.
You will always rise above anyone who wants to bring you down.
Don’t make a liar out of me.
Shine.
