Don’t Dim Your Light: The World Needs You to Shine
There’s this strange myth we sometimes inherit as this idea that humility means hiding. That to fit in, we should shrink, stay quiet, or tone down who we really are so others feel more comfortable around us. But here’s the truth: dimming our light doesn’t make the world brighter. It makes it darker.
Our light, our energy, our ideas, our presence… isn’t meant to be hidden. It’s meant to illuminate.
Why We Dim Our Light
Most of us learned to dim ourselves early on. We saw people get criticized for standing out. We were told not to “brag,” not to “make a scene,” or not to “be too much.” Somewhere along the way, some of us equated confidence with arrogance, and authenticity with attention-seeking.
But leadership, creativity, and connection don’t come from blending in. They come from being bold enough to stand out. When we dim our light:
We rob others of the permission to shine theirs.
We deny the world the gifts only you can give.
We teach our team that comfort matters more than contribution.
The Power of Light
Light has one job… to shine. It doesn’t ask if it’s too bright for someone’s eyes or whether it should tone down to match the room. It shines because that’s what light does. Now sometimes it is too bright and people need to adjust, that is up to them. We can also help them adjust as long as we don’t stay dull!
When we shine, we create clarity. We make it easier for others to see the path ahead. You remind people that courage is contagious. Whether you’re leading your team through a tough quarter, navigating personal change, or starting something new, your light gives others something to follow.
What Shining Looks Like
Shining doesn’t mean being loud or overbearing. It means being aligned. It’s when your words match your actions, your values guide your decisions, and your presence uplifts rather than overshadows.
We shine when we:
Speak truth with kindness.
Lead with integrity and enthusiasm.
Refuse to settle for “good enough.”
Celebrate others without minimizing yourself.
Why the World Needs Your Light
We live in a world that’s quick to highlight flaws and failures. But what it desperately needs are people who choose to highlight hope, strength, and possibility. When we shine, we give others proof that it’s possible to live authentically and lead courageously. We remind people that being genuine isn’t arrogance, it’s service.
So the next time you catch yourself dimming your light to make someone else comfortable, pause. Ask yourself: Who benefits when I play small? Because the answer is… no one.
Shine Anyway
Be the leader who walks into the room and raises the energy. Be the parent who models confidence for their children. Be the friend who inspires courage.
Your light might be exactly what someone else needs to find their way.
So don’t dim it. Shine!