Hey tribe hey, it's Key, and Happy New Year! Can I start by saying that 2020 was by far one of the most rewarding years for me mentally. I've experienced so many paradigm shifts, to where I no longer view myself, nor the world the same anymore. It's like I received a brand new prescription for my eyes, and my vision is a lot more clearer now. I don't know if it's just me experiencing these shifts or society as a whole, but let me know in the comments below if you've been experiencing paradigm shifts as well!
For those who are not familiar with this concept, I will kindly break it down for you. What is a paradigm? A paradigm is a way we perceive, understand, and interpret the world. They create the lens through which we see society. The people in our lives, our daily environments, and our ethnic backgrounds all help shape our paradigms. What are paradigm shifts? The term paradigm shift was introduced by Thomas Kuhn, an influential philosopher, and author of the twentieth century. He theorized that paradigm shifts occur when one paradigm loses its influence, and another paradigm takes over. One indicator of paradigm-shifting is what we call an "Aha!" moment, moving us from one way of seeing something to another, creating a significant quantum change in our human evolution.
My recent paradigm shift occurred during a trip to Deep Creek, MD, in December, with a group of close girlfriends from high school. The whole trip was a vibe, but the one thing that stuck with me the most was a conversation with Marie, Robyn, and myself. While everyone else was snow tubing, we dipped off for a sec to take pictures at the ski resort. As we were taking pictures, a conversation about not playing small in 2021 sparked, and we subconsciously formed a pack on how we weren't going to dim our lights for anyone in the new year. This conversation made me realize two things about myself, that I was holding back with my talents, and that I was playing too small as an Entrepreneur.
Why was I playing small? I've been playing small because that is what I saw when I looked in the mirror, a "Small Black Business Owner" swimming in a tank full of big successful sharks. I got stuck in a stigma that being Black and operating a business meant having to think, feel, and play small to coexist; This is not true. As humans, we naturally carry a mental image of ourselves that determines our self-image. Our self-image is how we see ourselves and what we believe we are capable and not capable of. It lives rent-free in our subconscious mind and determines our behaviors, actions, and the results that show up in our lives daily. To determine the self-image that you created for yourself in your mind, pay attention to various areas in your life. Start analyzing the results you are getting in your relationships, your career & income, and even your appearance. What you see are the results and outer expressions of your inner image.
It's important to understand that we do not manifest from a place of what we want, but from a place of how we feel about ourselves. So if you believe that you are unattractive, unworthy, fearful, or not good enough, your brain will communicate that vibration to the universe, and then the universe will create that in your reality. Your feelings create your mindset, and your mindset creates your reality. All of your deepest desires and aspirations are attainable, but first, you must develop a self-image that aligns with what you want. You can't change your being without simultaneously changing your seeing, just like, you cant make a million dollars while still having a poverty mindset.
Now repeat after me, I am worthy, confident, and I am deserving of all that I want. I will show up as my higher self and shine my light regardless. The sun does not dim its light when it's time to shine, so why should I? The passion that I have for my work enables me to create real value in this world. Those who are uncomfortable with how bright I shine can easily adjust their environment and find shade.
Much Love,
Key Shamar