This weekend, I was catching up on episodes I missed during my busy work week--- I blame my sister because living with her forced me to re-enter the world of drama television shows--- and I was really inspired by an assertion one actress made.

In the latest episode of a show called Private Practice, Charlotte confronted her boyfriend, Cooper, with a few declarations about her worth and identity.
Begin scene:

[Cooper softly states] “I’m sorry, I love you Charlotte”

[She removes his comforting hands from her face. Then stands and asserts in a winsome country accent] “I am too much woman for you. I have more money; I picked a specialty that makes you nervous. I bought your way into the practice. I’m strong and I am comfortable with being strong and I like that I’m strong. And if that is too much woman for you. If that makes your junk feel tiny, I’m not gonna make myself smaller. I’m not gonna put myself in a box so that you feel like a big man. I am a big woman, and you either get used to it or you get out.”

[Cooper doesn't miss a beat before replying] “I’ll get used to it, I will. I will get used to it. You’re ho-ott... strong women are hot. It’s hot!” [Kissing ensues]

[bold emphasis added]
--

I love when I am encouraged by an unexpected source, which was absolutely the case with this TV series scene. Charlotte stood and spoke words that ring in my own heart all the time: I cannot be small in effort to make someone okay in their own skin. I must be me. I am often strong, fierce and I move with certainty.

One of my all-time favorite quotes says, "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 most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? 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 other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. 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 everyone. And as 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.” -from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson, [bold emphasis added].

I don't want to feel a need to apologize for my moments of brilliance, beauty or strength. I long for my identity in Christ to permit others to live brilliantly and beautifully as well. So, thank you for the inspiration Charlotte. And thank you for the clarifying wisdom Marianne.

For I intend to live well and without restraint.
And I like that I'm strong.