You are here for a reason! Get unlocked so you can fulfill your life purpose
- I love fairytales because we can all identify with the feeling of being the awkward, hidden, unwanted, rejected, betrayed, undervalued, oddball main character at the start of the story, who doesn’t realize the power, influence, leadership, poise, beauty, and strength she possesses.
- Just as in the fairytales, in the story of our lives, there is a villain who wants to keep you – the main character – under a spell. He uses a spell called shame. Shame is the profound sense of inadequacy of somehow feeling profoundly broken, different, not enough, unwanted etc. Shame is so deep and so painful that we live small lives to avoid feeling it at all costs! Shame shuts down your true-identity because you feel that YOU are fundamentally bad, broken, and unworthy. That belief keeps you from living from your spirit. Instead, we mask our insecurities behind many disguises.
- Shame is often disguised under “false humility of not wanting to think too highly of ourselves”, procrastinating, overanalyzing, self-doubt, internal dictator, people-pleasing, co-dependence, comparison, fear, multitasking, and perfectionism = because all of these strategies keep us from putting our true self – with all of our imperfections – out there.
- Let’s face it, you and I will never be perfect, so by waiting to step out until you are perfect, until your talent is perfect, or until your plan is perfect, YOU WILL NEVER STEP OUT.
- By not stepping out you will feel safe and in control. But you will also feel unfulfilled as you sabotage your forward progress in order to stay in your small, safe, unremarkable life…
- We sabotage ourselves to avoid failure, rejection, disappointment, and the potential humiliation of feeling singled out. You know that moment when you feel the nudge to speak to a stranger to encourage them or help them, but instead talk yourself out of it? Or, when a thought pops in your mind prompting you to do something to share your talent/gift with the world but instead criticize yourself thinking “who am I?” Or, how about when you see pain in society and feel a stirring to help bring solutions, but instead disqualify yourself and assume others are better equipped to do it?
- In every fairytale, there is a moment of truth thrust upon the heroine when she must decide to stay where she is safe and in control or if she will accept her greater calling, leaving the safety and security of her home and her illusion of control, to go on the quest that is scary, perilous, overwhelming and has no guarantees.
- Ironically, no one publishes the fairytales about the girls who live small, tame, safe lives. While overthinking, false-humility, and perfectionism feel safe, they are robbing you. And more importantly, they are robbing those whom you are called to serve. Contradictory to the self-absorbed world we live in, your story is NOT about you. Your story is about taking the fishes and the loaves that are in your hand, to allow your life to be a conduit to bless, heal, feed, and care for a broken and hurting world needing to know there is a God who loves them.
- In every fairytale, the main character must grapple through her feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, self-doubt, unworthiness, and all of her legitimate disqualifiers that are so glaringly obvious! Yet, it is the bravery of loving others more than protecting herself, that galvanizes the heroine to accept her quest.
- You and I are no different. We are girls that others have disregarded and put to the side. If you’ve been discounted for one reason or another, if you have glaring disqualifiers that make it obvious that you are the last choice… then, you have the makings of greatness because there is a promise that in your weakness His strength is made perfect.
- If you’ve had a nagging feeling of something missing, a regret, or uneasiness, you’re likely being called to step into your story … If you see a problem in the world, whether that be helping one person or millions, then your spirit is likely being awakened to become part of the solution.
- I was held hostage under the spell of shame the majority of my life. The insecurities of shame made me so self-conscious – trying to keep my head above water as I was constantly drowning in triggers, anxiety, depression, unworthiness, comparison etc. that I was not actively seeking how I could help others. Nope, I was just trying to get through the day. How about you? Have you felt weighed down by the pressures, responsibilities, nagging insecurities, comparisons, and internal critic that you struggle to see how you have anything to offer others? Trust me, I get it! I have been there!
- And the good news is, IF YOU FEEL INSECURE, YOU ARE NORMAL. Every main character on an epic quest to help the world, goes through the same experience. Having insecurities and shame is not the problem – staying there and never getting help – is the problem. You cannot fulfill your life purpose on your own. You will need help. So, if you are someone who struggles to accept help, then you know LEARNING TO ACCEPT HELP is your first step toward growth.
- The most important ingredient in every fairytale is the faithful companion that goes with our main character. The faithful companion encourages her to keep going, believes in her when she can’t believe in herself, helps her get back up when she’s defeated, and provides guidance when she’s lost her way. IF YOU’VE LOST YOUR WAY, YOU ARE NORMAL.
- You also have a faithful companion. A friend that sticks closer than a brother! He believes in you and so do we at the Unlock U with Dr. Shannan Crawford podcast community. You don’t have to do this journey alone. Join us, FLAWS AND ALL, to gain the practical strategies to break the spell of shame off your life, gain the courage to embrace who you are and the call on your life as you learn to accept help – so you can embark on the great adventure God has written over your life.
- YOU’RE NOT ALONE. LET’S DO IT TOGETHER!