Earlier this week I spoke with a friend that has an extraordinary gift, and an opportunity to use that gift at a much higher level.
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	<li>If she chooses to pursue that opportunity she has to push through whispers of doubt that her mind is already generating about all that she is not.</li>
	<li>She must push through her own comfort zone and perhaps the comfort zones of her friends and her family.</li>
	<li>And then, she will have to risk being vulnerable to the people that will decide if her gift is what they need right now.</li>
</ul>
When we spoke about that opportunity, I encouraged her to pursue this with all of her heart. I believe that she was given this gift for a reason, that she will inspire others, and that her choice to take the risk is something her children will always remember.

As I think about the decision she has to make I am reminded of the movie The Lion King. There is a scene in the movie where Simba has been away from home for a long time because his evil uncle convinced him that he was responsible for his father’s death. After years of running away from the pain and trying to cover it up with play, his father appears to him in a vision and says, “<i>Simba…  You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than you have become!  …Remember who you are…”</i>

This morning, I opened Google+ and watched  Botlahle, an 11-year old girl, audition for South Africa’s Got Talent. (Thank you Ande Lyons for sharing!)
<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BPszAxLjFSs?rel=0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>

What strikes me in this video is that this young lady knows who she is. When she speaks the beautiful words of another poet, she brings her unique light and style and instantly engages the audience. Then when she is asked to share her own words her light becomes even brighter…

<strong> Please share:  How do you remember who you are?  And what are you doing with your gift? </strong>

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<a title="Accepting the Tension between The Vision and The Reality" href="http://www.slideshare.net/CheryGegelman/accepting-the-tension-between-vision-reality">Accepting the Tension between The Vison and The Reality</a>

<a title="Leading from who YOU are" href="http://leadchangegroup.com/leading-from-who-you-are/">Leading from who YOU are</a>

<a title="Will you lead from who YOU are?" href="http://leadchangegroup.com/invitation-2013-will-you-choose-to-lead-from-who-you-are/">Will you lead from who YOU are?</a>

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Photo Credits:  iStockphoto