This time of the year is one of my favorites. I recently hosted our FPG quarterly dinner, and the night was full of Christmas spirit, gratitude, and Love. We shared a delicious meal, laughed about 2018’s quirky moments, and played an intense game of white elephant gifting. I stood back for a moment and watched my team laugh together while the Christmas lights illuminated the room, and I was filled with so much gratitude and joy.

This time of the year especially, you are completely surrounded by light. The golden glow of flames radiates from your crackling fireplace, sweet-smelling candles illuminate your home, and the shimmering lights from your Christmas tree brighten your living room. It’s so easy to flow over with love and light when it’s surrounding you.

But you have a light within yourself too, and it shines directly to the people around you. And this light doesn’t just Shine in times of love and gratitude. It shines constantly.

Every year when I look at the lights around me during Christmastime, I’m always reminded of this quote from author Marianne Williamson in her book, A Return to Love.

“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, 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 won’t 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’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Let that sink in for a moment, and read over it a few times. That line toward the end always stands out to me every time I read it: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

At FPG, we always aim to “be the light.” We believe in sharing our successes from a place of authenticity and compassion. As a leader, a mother, and a friend, I want to be known as a person of positive influence and positive energy and let my light shine into the people I care about. I want to show everyone around me that if I’m capable of success, so are they.

In the spring of 2019, we will be releasing our new book, The Mindset of a Sales Warrior. Written in 5 intense days, Jason Forrest explains 44 beliefs that strengthen your mindset so you can improve your life, the lives of your customers, and increase your results in the process. He dedicated one of these 44 beliefs to Williamson’s idea of what it means to be the light. This idea applies to everyone, whether you need to be light for your prospects, for your loved ones, or for yourself.

So, here’s how you can become the light.

1. Let go of your fear of success.

People are scared to succeed. We want to perform at the level that we expect for ourselves because it makes us feel safe.  And whenever we move up a level, we start to panic. We Fear that people will find out we aren’t what they believe we are, or that the expectations of us will rise. To be the light, you need to release this fear and increase your expectations of yourself. Never settle and keep raising the bar. That is what will inspire the people around you.

2. Give yourself the love you give to everyone else.

We cannot pour from an empty cup. You need to be a light for yourself before you can be a light to others. There are countless methods to practice self-love. Whenever I struggle to find my inner light, I take time to meditate or talk to someone I love about whatever it is that I’m struggling with. As we transform into a pillar of light, we become a source of inspiration to everyone we meet.

3. Radiate compassion.

You can be a bright light for someone by putting aside your viewpoint and validating their perspective. Sometimes, you’re the light by being a coach. Other times, you shine for someone by just listening and being present.  Give kindness and understanding to the people around you, your compassion and positive attitude are contagious.

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year. No matter your situation, you have the opportunity to smile brightly when you think about the amazing things that you accomplished this year, and when you take moments to reflect on the tough times as well. Allow light to fill you up with hope, inspiration, and love, and share it with the people around you. Because when we let our light shine, we give everyone else permission to do the same.

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