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Toronto Portrait Photographer || HEARTshots || Black + White Photography

Memoirs and musings of Darius Bashar. Toronto portrait photographer and writer, in pursuit of all things real, raw and intimate. 

HOW DARE YOU PLAY SMALL?

I used to really struggle with speaking from my heart. I used to bury my truth from the world, worried I might burden people and feeling embarrassed if I took up too much space. 

Don't get me wrong… There is great value in humility and making space for others, but that’s not what this is about. Playing small is not humility. Quite the contrary, playing small is an act of selfishness.  

At the crux of playing small is a limiting belief that states:

"If I get too big, I won't be loved."

What I've experienced in my life is that when I speak from my heart and let my light shine through, I end up giving others permission to do the same. Playing big activates the light in others and allows you to bond and connect with people on a much deeper level. This actually creates more opportunities for love in your life. 

Standing boldly in your power and letting your light shine through is a very important gift we give our community and the world. It inspires others to do the same: to seek out their own truth and follow their hearts. This is a great responsibility and privilege we each hold.

The game-changer for me was in realizing that the light that shines through me is not actually mine at all. It belongs to God. And when we deny that light from shining through us, we are denying God. 

Joseph Campbell said it best:

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."

Personally, I'm done playing small. It does not serve me, my community, or The Universe. 

So shine bright my friend.

Before it's too late. 

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The beautiful human in these photos is my dear friend Luciana. You can learn more about her and her magic here —> https://www.instagram.com/lucianawithlove

- Originally written Jan 03, 2018