Never Play Small 🫵🏻💪🏻🏋🏻‍♀️

I am sure you’ve heard of that saying above as Warrior would 100% agree. Yes, I know he writes about 1994 there on the side and a memory I have is from 1993 (I think?) but that’s in a bit. I must admit, I used to place small but not so much anymore. Why? Because it doesn’t lead you anywhere except to frustration and disappointment all centered around expectations. It’s kind of like how back in the day, some would never ask for directions if physically lost while driving or something like that. Now, we have Siri but I’m sure you all can relate. I can be quite stubborn but nowadays, I ask for help because it sometimes is necessary. If it pertains to the kids, I’ll ask questions if need be instead of struggling on my own. Nope, not playing small on most topics anymore.

Let’s talk birthdays a moment. Maybe you celebrate yours in a grandiose fashion but maybe you’re more low-key. When younger, it’s all controlled by your parents or maybe older siblings help to plan a party. Once in school, did you tell friends when your birthday was? I did but we all have to let go of any possible outcomes. Just because you tell someone, they may not get you anything except telling you : “Happy Birthday!” 🎂 How about as adults in a workplace? My husband hates the attention which I can understand but we all deserve to be celebrated and not just as kids or on milestones. I’ve had a few fun surprises over the years (and still do 🤭) from others but in a workplace is different. A few coworkers of mine brought a beautiful lunch one year just for me, which was in 1993 that I mentioned earlier. One had asked if I liked chicken salad~~~ very random?! It totally floored me as I had no idea. I have never forgotten that… At another job, we used to do birthday lunches where everyone contributed. It was so fun, but then I never wanted to work the afternoon class!! Was that playing small? Nope, because if you don’t share, nobody ever knows. Some prefer it that way but to me, it gets lonely. We deserve that special attention but can’t expect it..

I have played small when younger like I said but other times it affects us differently. It isn’t just speaking up or sharing but also acting. Always playing small will never increase confidence as Warrior came to know many times in his life. He didn’t even play small alone doing his workouts! If he never walked into that weight room back in high school, Coach Pate never would’ve seen his potential which went from small to BIG… That of course led to so many other opportunities career wise for him and with Vince McMahon~~~ NEVER small either! I’m so grateful he had mentioned those in his HOF speech who motivated him to keep going and to not play it small. He never forgot them but we shouldn’t forget those in our lives too who motivate us for similar reasons. 🥹🔥

We all have those down days or even moments, but then something snaps us back when another picks us up. No, I don’t mean a press slam! Those who truly care will know the right thing to say or do when we think we aren’t making a difference. On my spiritual journey, there’s been several people who saw, and still see my potential and despite some humility always, I don’t play small with unworthiness. OK, I don’t go out there and do book projects anymore but I am still doing what I love~ just in another ways. I’ll have those “Ms. Resistance” times and then I’ll get a message full of compliments that I wasn’t expecting. Sure, I can always go BIGGER in many areas but there are ideas I prefer to stay smaller . Does it mean I shy away all together though? No and it shouldn’t for you either. What are some ideas or projects you might be playing small upon? Maybe you can just amp them up a little if you like. We all deserve our own praise. even if others disagree.

Lately, I’ve had people reach out to me for various reasons that I wasn’t anticipating. I even got asked to go on a retreat with my former book club ladies. I couldn’t attend, but so nice to be included and feel special. They could’ve just invited the current group but thought of the others they begin with. That’s not playing small fellow warriors…. Some friends take pics of my kids with their bands and not because they have to but because we have gotten close and they enjoy doing it. The lengths they go to get the right shot just for us parents is no small feat indeed~~~ at least sometimes. I even get sent some from extra parents which is so sweet. I have returned the favor because I am a proud mom too. 🥰📷🎼

How about those 80s wrestling podcast guys I have referenced? If you’ve heard them, they certainly have included me with their mostly regular male callers. Talk about a BIG deal. Nothing small about that and I can run with the big boys anytime! *****Switching my gear over to the feminine, my cousin doesn’t hold back when sharing spiritual topics with me either that she can’t share with anyone else. I certainly don’t restrict by being small around her as well. We won’t be small when it’s with those we truly care for and vice versa. Sometimes, I might over share but it’s only because I trust the other and feel myself enough to be ME… That includes humorous antics too as very few experience that side of myself. When I’m goofy, I’m not playing small and those select few just know my vibe! 😜You have people like that too, I know you do. I bet they let their guard down and don’t play small with you either.

Just because stuff is the best because we can celebrate friendship without there being a big celebration of sorts. It’s those real ones who ask how you are despite their own chaotic life and don’t mince words. Some of us love BIG but it isn’t because we’re clingy, it’s because we are genuine and the real deals. Playing small just kept us that way and then we’d never evolve into the big hearts we want to give without expectation. I’ve been there~ I know, but this girl doesn’t place small because there’s no winning that match. You can do you, I will do me. Let’s just agree that some things are worth playing big for. You get to choose which ones. Look to Warrior. He knew too… 💙

P.S. Guess what? No P.S. this week! It’s been a long time for that… 😉