"Keep Shining The Way You Do"

It was another Idol night last night and I find it telling that I brought my laptop and my son showed up with his new Far Side book tucked under his arm. Truly, we've become so jaded.

But last night the judges did seem much more invested in helping the contestants and giving good advice. My favorite, of course, came from my guy Steven when he said to Lauren, "Keep shining the way you do."

He basically said that, more or less, to each contestant. Like when he said to Jacob, "We all knew you could sing, it was just about time you shook your tail feathers."

Stuff like that.

What I think he was trying to convey is something he's been saying all season, if you listened closely.

Remember?

Sing like there's no one in the room.

Yes.

We all have shine potential.

We ALL do.

The trick is to be brave enough to let ourselves.

And I think Steven knows that one way to get around that fear of exposing the true us, is to pretend no one's watching.

I want my words to shine in my own special way. And I know you do, too. So lets turn off that pesky internal editor who whispers in our ears, "You'll never be as good as [fill in the blank]." Say right back, "Yes, I know. But no one else has my unique voice, either. So there."

Keep shining the way YOU do.

That was his point.

Be your own amazing self. Believe in your own ability to shine in your own unique light.

Sure, that's kind of a heady attitude. But we all know the world needs more light. Including yours.

So get shining.

:-)