Alice Jameson, Ladies and Gentleman! Wahooooo (applause)
(fill in the appropriate name for whoever is the recipient... said in my most 'announcer' voice.) It's especially fun when I am with people who "get" it and join in the applause with me.
Why? because every now and then everyone needs a round of applause.
It's so interesting to watch people's expressions. First surprise, their eyes open wide and they inhale ever so subtly but sharply.... then a glance around, as if they're saying for me? Really?
And then comes the smile. A real smile, from deep within, maybe even a giggle along with it. Some people pretend to take a bow, others turn red in the face, but every single one will smile one of those real, genuine, deep smiles.
It's beautiful to see.
In that split second... you are seen. You are special. You are the focus of someone's attention and admiration - but not for anything special you have done. No, you did nothing to earn this round of applause... besides breathing, and gracing us with your presence. And that's what makes you smile. You deserve a round of applause, just for being you.
I was sitting on deck 8 today enjoying some sunshine and thinking about this last season, the victories and the failures and the joy and the sadness, and God gently whispered Krissy Close, Ladies and Gentleman! and in my spirit I felt that smile come out, that moment of being seen, of being known, not for what I have done but rather because of who I am.
It was beautiful.
And I think we forget that that is what God is like. He's on our team, he's rooting for us, his default position is for us and he loves to give us a round of applause, just to see us smile that deep heart smile of being known.
Even when we make mistakes.
I have seen several photos of friend's little girls popping up on Facebook in their adorable little dance recital outfits, and I remember the excitement every year I had around dance recital time. The thing is, every single little dancer gets a huge round of applause, even when they forget the steps or fall over, when they loose their balance or their place in the music. They get a round of applause because they are seen and appreciated, not because of their performance but because of who they are.
It is beautiful.
Some people try to hide from it. I don't think it's out of fear of being seen.... I think it's out of fear of thinking that others are thinking you want to be seen. We hide it as embarrassement, but really? We're honored. Let's be honest. We all want to be seen, known, appreciated. Not for anything we did to earn it, but just for who we are.
One of my favorite all-time quotes came to mind as I was sifting through these thoughts today, my own addition in brackets:
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 frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' {Who am I to deserve a round of applause?} 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 people won't feel insecure around you. 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 all of us. And when 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.
~Marianne Williamson
So go ahead, dear one. Give a friend a round of applause... and receive the one that is meant for you.
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