This afternoon I got an email that kinda blew my mind and once again had me reconsidering how I think about myself.
First, a little background…
For the last couple of years, I’ve been studying the process of becoming a teacher and leader in the personal development field. I’ve written before about the conflict I’ve felt between my self-reflective, somewhat introverted nature and the extroverted ideal that seems to be required for success in this field.
The message I’ve gotten numerous times from the Universe is that I just need to be myself and it will all work itself out. And yet I keep listening to the chatter amongst my colleagues and thinking that I’ll never reach their level of success without changing my personlity.
A couple of weeks ago I was featured on the front page of the website Inspire Me Today. Although it was a HUGE honor and I was very excited, I also was a complete stress case that day. I heard from the owners of the site were that they had additional opportunities for me, but only if I generated record-breaking traffic to their site. It’s the same message that publishers and organizers in the field give – we’ll book you if you can demonstrate that you’ll bring a significant audience with you.
I’ve been stewing over that for a few weeks now – why has the quantity of eyeballs delivered become so much more important than the quality of the message? Would I like to be talking to millions of people? Of course! But I’d far rather have 100 dedicated readers and students than have tens of thousands of followers who jump onto the latest trend for 15 minutes and then move on to the next thing. I’m much more interested in producing quality content than in throwing together a sensationalized headline.
This has been eating away at me, all triggered by the seemingly happy event of being featured on that website.
And then today, I opened my email to find this message from the Inspire Me Today people:
“Because we enjoyed your inspiration so much, we’re giving you a special benefit that less than 20% of our Luminaries receive – a feature in our column on Care2.com!
We will be sharing your inspiration with 20,000,000+ people around the world on 10/03, at 1:30pm Pacific! Your inspiration will not only be available on Care2.com, but will also be included in Care2’s Healthy Living newsletter emailed to Care2 members the day after your feature in our column.
Thanks for being such a bright light in this world. We’re so honored to have you as a part of the Inspire Me Today family!”
Well knock me over with a feather!
Once again the Universe steps in to show me that I’m not giving myself enough credit. Apparently the power of the message IS as important as the quantity of traffic.
Showing up as me is all that I can do. And it’s enough. Not only is it enough, it’s perfect – perfectly me in my most imperfect way.
Today’s miracle: A reminder that I don’t have to fit anyone else’s definition of success as long as I stay true to myself.
Image found here. Perhaps a “child’s guide to self-acceptance” is just what I need. 🙂
13 comments
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Lisa LaPlante
September 26, 2012 at 9:37 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
You are SO amazing my friend! I’ve known it all along and a week from now… so will a whole lot more of the world!
I am so proud of you and thrilled for you.
Trust your heart and your soul… I do…. remind your self that your essence is true and right on course.
I love you Leah! Congratulations!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
~Lisa
Leah Carey
September 26, 2012 at 9:40 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you Lisa! I love you and SO appreciate all of your support. 🙂
xoxoxoxo
~Leah
Sheila
September 27, 2012 at 7:18 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m so proud of you my friend! Being true to yourself IS what makes you so wonderfully special.
As for me, I remain — as I have been since day one — a dedicated follower of Leah Carey, the Miracle Lady!
Sheila Callaham
Sheila recently posted at their blog…A lifetime of practice? Yes, please and thank you!
Leah Carey
September 27, 2012 at 7:32 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks Sheila! I’m so glad that we are friends – even the kind that have never met in person. 🙂
Eileen Alexander
September 27, 2012 at 7:55 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Go, Leah! Never stop believing in yourself!!
Eileen
Leah Carey
September 27, 2012 at 7:33 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks Eileen! 🙂
Denise Wolf
September 27, 2012 at 1:40 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Congratulations Leah! It is so wonderful to see your dreams coming true in a way that is authentically you.
Share your gifts and trust that the miraculous will happen.
So glad you get to share “you” with so many more.
Leah Carey
September 27, 2012 at 7:33 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you Denise! I really appreciate your presence here and your support. With much love,
Leah
Charlotte
September 29, 2012 at 2:51 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
That is such incredibly wonderful news! Give yourself a great big pat on the back for a job well done and bask in the feeling. It isn’t every day an opportunity like this presents itself, but it should serve as a reminder that hard work and quality content reign supreme. And no, not necessary to fit anyone else’s mold… You are perfect just as you are. Xoxo
Charlotte recently posted at their blog…Oktoberfest in Jersey–hold the schnitzel
Leah Carey
September 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks Charlotte! I really appreciate that. 🙂
(And thanks for letting me know how to find your comment – did you do something to anger the Akismet gods? Weird!)
Patricia
September 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I so get this! I am constantly getting suggestions about changing the blog to increase traffic — the most frequent of which is to include more celebrity gossip (since I’m based in LA). But the blog is about starting over, relationships, and who I am becoming– not whether Lohan has stolen something else, or Bynes has hit someone else with her car.
I’m so glad that the universe (and Care2.com) has given you a sign! Being true to yourself and your vision is hard with all that noise. Glad you stuck with it!
Patricia recently posted at their blog…The Giveaway
Leah Carey
September 29, 2012 at 10:47 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Wow – thanks Patricia! You’ve said it in such a down-to-earth understandable way. You’re right – it’s pretty much NEVER about what Kim Kardashian is wearing on the red carpet either, I bet. 🙂
I checked out your blog and absolutely LOVE the post “Moving Castles in the Sky” – especially numbers 2 & 3. Thanks for that big laugh!
I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to talking with you more.
Leah
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December 14, 2013 at 1:49 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
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