The Anti-Idol Movement

I’ve been thinking a lot about you… and me.

And about those of us who share our stories… People whom I’d call… influencers.

Recent influencers have come into my life in the shape of bloggers, coaches, Instagram accounts, networking partners and online course providers.

They have shared a lot of wisdom. Ideas. Support.

I’ve learned a lot and grown quite a bit from many influencers.

I’ve also been hurt, felt cheated, and disappointed by some.

In fact, some have left me feeling less myself. More stuck, even.

And I’ve struggled with figuring out how I move forward, as an influencer myself, if sometimes by creating followings, we shine too much light on a vision that isn’t right for someone else. Or we build up something that only leaves someone feeling unable to do things on their own, or unable to attain a goal that our idol is selling even when they haven’t attained themselves (think: the psychiatrist who has a lot of unresolved personal issues).

How can we, as thought-leaders, be both inspiring, and empowering?

How can we, as entrepreneurs, talk about our wins, without creating an expectation that we always should know the answer?

How can we, as influencers, share our heart’s desires openly, without belittling those who are currently struggling?

How can I tell you the best way to live your life when I don’t truly know that answer for myself?

I know I don’t have all the answers.

Like you, I’m just doing my best.

And here’s what I have realized.

I don’t want to teach you how to live your life like I live mine.

I don’t want you to be like me.

I want you to be like you. But not just the YOU you are today. The YOU you are becoming.

I want you to become more of your true self.

I want to help you dig deep, look inside, find your spark, live your light. Be more the YOU that you want to be.

Because as for me: I’m no one to idolize. Nor do I want to be.

But I do care, very much, about us as human beings. Our compassion. Our love. Our spirit. Our potential.

And becoming the amazing communities, that look out for one another, that support one another, that show compassion even in the face of danger, that raises our daughters and sons to be world-thinkers and thought-leaders and amazing gifts of love — this is possible, when  people like you and me become our best versions of ourselves. To be the most beautiful, spirited people we can possibly be.

Looking for our beauty, our hearts, and our gifts, by blindly following our idols, can leave us searching.

Looking inside, for our beauty, our hearts, and our gifts, can make us whole.