overcoming the fear of success

Ok, I admit it. I'm usually a couple of steps behind the rest of the world when it comes to discovering cool things on the web.

I had no idea about iJustine, Justin Beiber, or that one lady from England that blew the world away (what was her name again?) One of my now favorite musical groups, Straight No Chaser, had eclipsed 11,000,000 YouTube views, signed a record deal, and was on their second tour before someone pointed me in their direction.

I'm a little slow sometimes…

I don't know that I'm any quicker on the draw this time, but someone caught my eye (and ears) today that really inspired me. If you haven't met him yet, let me introduce you to Greyson Chance.

He is a 6th grade prodigy that has captured some pretty significant attention since joining YouTube on April 28, 2010. His cover version of Lady Gaga's "Paprazzi", that he performed at his 6th grade festival, has already blown by 11,000,000 views and he appeared on Ellen May 13th.

Make sure to follow one the links to his channel and take a listen or 10.

His talent is awe-inspiring and he seems like a great kid to boot. That isn't the thing that prompted the post though.

When I first landed on his video and scrolled down to read a few comments, within the first four on the site at the time was some idiot spouting profanity and hating on Greyson. "F-bomb this… big deal if you're only 12…blah, blah…explicative…blah."

Apparently, there have been a few others drinking the haterade when it comes to Greyson and I want to say this, "Congratulations Greyson." It takes a phenomenal talent to make people go out of their way to try and tear you down. Don't ever, for even a second, back down from your gift.

Far too often people shrink from their love, from their brilliance, because of the fear that others might attack. Instead of claiming their brilliance and nurturing it to bless the world and live on the edge of what is possible… they decide to play safe and stay to the middle. This is the first step of a long, slow march to the grave.

They exist in life to cater to the whims of others. Blown about by whatever wind is strongest until they die… and finally escape the potential judgment of humankind. But along the way… they take shots at everyone they can that has the courage to do what they couldn't. How sad and pathetic.

To waste this one, irreplaceable life by striving only to be tolerated. Thoreau said that, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with a song still in them."

In sharing his "song" with us, Greyson shows more than just common courage too. He's in the 6th grade for Pete's sake! Can anyone but me remember how cruel and vindictive kids can be between 11 and 14? To put yourself out there and say, "This is me. And I'm not going to hold back just because you might not like it." That's guts!

We all have brilliance. It isn't all the same, because… well, that would be really boring. It is our job to claim and refine our brilliance and celebrate it in others. When you see someone that is obviously laying it all out to share their gift… resists the urge to criticize. Look at their example and do the same with your gift! Go for it.

If you've suppressed your gifts, it's not too late. It's never too late. Start somewhere and begin to explore how great you can be. This isn't about how good you are compared to anyone else. It's about how good you can be compared to what you've done before. Constantly striving for your personal best.

It took me 36 years to learn that lesson. Thank God we have people like Greyson to show the way at a much younger age.

Just remember that you are good enough already. And I'm going to challenge you that this isn't about being good enough. More than likely, you're scared of how good might really be.

Marianne Williamson said,

"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."

 Will you claim your brilliance?

Will you nurture your gift without fear and share it with the rest of us?

Please forgive me for being greedy, but my world gets better every time someone decides to pursue their love… will you make my world better?

Be your best,

PJ McClure