Stop Trying to Fill Their Shoes — Walk Your Own Path Instead

I talk a lot about learning that my vulnerability is a super power over the past five years. One thing I still get hung up on is when/how to be vulnerable at work.

According to Culture Works HR, 60% of Americans struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.

Quora says that vulnerability is natural and should be embedded within any company’s culture. “It creates trust and promotes acceptance and empathy when giving and receiving feedback. It also helps with effective problem solving and decision making.”

According to Toner Buzz, 85% of companies that offer work-life balance programs report an increase in productivity, while 33% of employees with a good balance say they plan to stay longer in their current role.

The fear of making connections and being vulnerable can stem from various sources, such as past traumatic experiences, fear of rejection or abandonment, low self esteem, or a lack of trust in others. This is true whether in your personal or professional life.

So how can you change that?
-Focus on building self awareness;
-Practice active listening;
-Share your thoughts and feelings appropriately;

Do you have a difficult time being vulnerable? Try a few of these to help get you started.

What makes you tap your hands or feet to the beat? What makes you stop and take a second look? What makes you feel a sense of peace and tranquility? Whatever it is, do those things… as often as possible. Those are the true things that set your soul on fire!

I’ve been a bit tied up the past few months with so many exciting things, and I can’t wait to share it all with you! Out with 2024 and in with 2025. It’s going to be a great year! Hey, what have you been tied up with these days?

I understand that the concept of unbelief can be quite complex and emotional.

It’s not always easy to simply believe what is right in front of you. We often have preconceived notions that can cloud our judgment and make us want something to be a certain way. This can make it difficult to accept a different reality.

It’s true that taking everything at face value might seem like a good approach, but in a world of deception and dishonesty, it’s essential to think critically and look beyond the surface. I understand how challenging it can be to navigate through situations where things aren’t as they initially seem.

For example, if someone owes you money and you’ve been let down multiple times, it’s natural to feel anxious and untrusting. When you finally receive the payment, it’s easy to accept it at face value. However, it’s important to take the time to investigate (or count the money), just as you would in life. This way, you can avoid being let down and hurt in the future.

I appreciate that life is full of complexities, and it’s not always easy to navigate through them alone. It’s okay to seek guidance and support from others. Sometimes others can offer a nonbiased perspective that will open your mind to a different way of thinking.

Have you recently gone through a difficult divorce? Are you still grieving that lost friend or family member? Did you just get a tough medical diagnosis? Have you recently had to move away from the only home you have known for years? There are so many times in our lives where we must be brave for ourselves or even for other people. Do you put on a brave face when you are dying inside? It is very easy to do. Sometimes we do it because we don’t want anyone to know our real stories. At the end of the day, we may only be hurting ourselves by keeping it all inside. If you want encouragement from 8 very brave women who have lived to tell their stories, check out this book in the Lightbeamer Series. https://amzn.to/3UJ8UV4

We’ve all heard the phrase “hurry up and wait.” It’s one of those sayings that feels both humorous and painfully true. You’re told to rush — to get ready, to move, to respond — only to find yourself waiting once you’ve done your part. Waiting for others. Waiting for answers. Waiting for life to catch up with the effort you’ve already given.

It happens everywhere — in careers, relationships, creative pursuits, and personal growth. We hustle to be prepared, to show up, to be ready for what’s next. And then… silence. Stillness. A pause we didn’t plan for.

At first, it can feel unfair. We did the work, we followed the steps, we met the deadline — so why are we sitting here in the in-between? But maybe “hurry up and wait” isn’t punishment. Maybe it’s a reminder.

Life moves in cycles — of doing, and of becoming. The “hurry up” seasons stretch us to act, to rise, to prepare. But the “wait” seasons ask something deeper of us: patience, faith, trust. They remind us that no matter how fast we move, timing is something we can’t control.

Waiting can feel empty, but it’s often where the unseen work happens — the healing, the maturing, the aligning. What looks like stillness on the surface is often the quiet preparation for what’s next.

So the next time you find yourself in that space — having done all you can, sitting in uncertainty, feeling the tension between readiness and rest — remember: not every pause is a setback. Sometimes it’s just life whispering, “You’re right on time.”