When Jennifer told me she would be in Paris and would love to meet, the first thought that crossed my mind is « I can’t do this ». It’s not that I did not want to see her or anything lik thise, it’s just that the first words that came through my mind were “not good enough”.
I hate these three words.
But they rush like blood into my veins every time I am facing a new situation, a situation that involves new people.
And then, something happened in my mind. I heard a voice saying “what – not good enough – you’re joking!”
I was not.
I mean we were talking about Jennifer Burden there – the founder & CEO of World Moms Network, the woman with ideas, passion, who got involved with the UN Foundation and even got to meet the UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon.
I was so scared.
And then I answered “Fabulous, I can’t wait to meet you”, thinking that I still had 3 weeks to get ready.
Crazy!
And then I realized there was nothing to fear. I realized all this “not good enough” bullshit was not about me. It was about all the assholes I met before. I make the choice to stop this voice in my head.
I was good enough. I am good enough. I am even better than “good enough”. I am me. And I am beautiful.
So we met.
And I can say that we had a fabulous time. Meeting Jennifer was like meeting an old friend. We had so much to share about our lives, doubts, dreams. We enjoyed this special moment. It was a special treat to me. I met an open-minded and delicious woman. She was not one to fear or be afraid of. We were just two women happy to connect.
A week later, it was Purnima’s – senior editor at WMN – turn to be in Paris with her family. The bad voice did not come back. I would have told her “shut up” anyway. And again we shared a nice moment all together. It was even hard letting her and her family go.
I am so grateful to have met these wonderful ladies and to have overcome my fears. They both taught me an invaluable lesson:
Be who you are. Be proud of your choices. And the world will embrace you. And you will shine. And the world will shine with you!
