If memes were a thing 30 years ago, the most popular among my friends would have been this one from the Herbal Essence “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful” commercial.
We would have used it comedically among a gaggle of girls in front of the mirror in the public restroom: Apply lipstick, turn to friend and pout lips and say with an affect, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. Said in jest, but what it meant was:
I am powerful and ready to meet the world. And so are you.
In Boomer and GenX generations, we (especially women) were told that touting yourself was egotistical, that you were conceited. Millennials and GenZ, the social media generation of influencers, share perfect images and every detail of themselves, positive that others will be fascinated and garnering likes to affirm it.
One person’s fabulousness doesn’t negate your own.
I was reminded of that at the recent Salt & Light Coalition Gala. My husband and I (close your mouth, honey!) noticed that the guests were 70+% women, all influencers, snapping and posting selfies across the evening. The light and positive energy they exuded lifted the entire room. SALC raised over $500K during the 3-hour event and got tons of exposure for the cause. My husband and I posted our own inspired kissy-face selfie!
The Marianne Williamson poem, Our Deepest Fear, has been rattling around my brain since the event. When you let your own light shine, you give other people permission to do the same.