The sun doesn’t care if it blinds you: a lesson on how to shine

 

As women, we are taught not to be too much (<– whatever the hell that is).

Don’t wear too much makeup. Don’t talk about yourself too much. Don’t attract too much attention. Don’t show too much skin. Don’t laugh too much. Don’t swear too much.

Don’t say too much.
Don’t wear too much.
Don’t prove too much.
Don’t be too much.

What they are really trying to say is: women, don’t shine too much.

For many of us, this notion of being “too much” began when we were little girls and has continued on into our womanhood. I don’t know about you, but I was shushed non-stop as a child. The mere sound (and apparently, volume) of my voice was a constant offense. As a woman, I have to use my voice but I’m supposed to use it in a way (haven’t I learned by now?!) that does not offend. As women, we are expected to constantly be navigating the waters of “too much” being sure to shine but only ever so slightly, because God forbid we should outshine our male counterparts. God forbid, we should shine “too much.”

“When you're trying hard to be your best could you be a little less” – Madonna, What It Feels Like For A Girl

Insert: Beyoncé. A woman who is clearly doing “too much” when it comes to shining, and, (gasp!) we love it. Not only do we, as women, love it, but society loves it. Beyoncé has been highly rewarded for her willingness to let her light fully shine. Beyoncé is not toning down a damn thang and I’m here for it. We can learn a thing or two from Ms. Carter when it comes to shining.

For example, let’s take Beyoncé’s pregnancy photo shoot that she blessed us with this week. If you’re living under a rock and somehow don’t know, Beyoncé announced that she is pregnant with twins on February 1st. The announcement was accompanied by a spread of stunning photos of Beyoncé and her growing belly. There are photos of pregnant Beyoncé underwater (yes, an underwater maternity shoot! Who does that? Beyoncé does). There are photos of Beyoncé on a set with an old car surrounded by mounds of flowers. And, my favorite, there are photos of Beyoncé as the Yoruba goddess, Oshun. Yes, Beyoncé channeled a goddess in her maternity photo shoot. Too much? I think not!

Beyoncé has a PhD in shining and we should all listen when the teacher speaks.

Here is the truth of the matter: you were put on this Earth to shine. You were not placed here to live a beige, mediocre life that fades into the background. No, hunty. You were placed on this Earth to command attention.

This is not about extroverts versus introverts (I am fairly certain that Beyoncé is an introvert). This is not about loud versus quiet. This is about dismantling the patriarchal viewpoint that has permeated our psyche and told us that our mere existence, and the expression of our talents and beauty, are much too much and therefore we need to tone it all the way down.

Be like the sun: “The sun doesn’t care if it blinds you.” – Susan Hyatt

No, no. We need to tone it all the way up. We need to take a page out of Beyoncé’s book and showcase our talents, beauty, intelligence, views and voice on a stunning silver platter surrounded by diamonds and pearls. Especially when it comes to entrepreneurship or being recognized for your work, it is essential that we say more about who we are, that we display our skills and our unique perspective and offerings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with shining for shining’s sake.

So, I want to know, how can you take this lesson from Beyoncé and shine more in your life? What does your equivalent of “Beyoncé’s goddess/maternity photo shoot” look like? I want to hear all of the ways you plan to SHINE BIG in 2017.

Also? The next time someone tells you that you’re doing, wearing or being too much, say “thank you, that’s just what I was going for.”