Think back to a time when you were truly unafraid to be yourself. For me, my mind often finds my eleven-year-old self. That quirky little preadolescent was exuberant, joyful, and unconcerned with the judgment of others.

Back then I was a goalie for my local soccer team. I wasn’t the best. But every game, I stood in goal and I tried. And I owned being a goalie–it was a core part of my identity. I allowed myself to be this thing, without qualification or judgment.

The thing that made me a goalie wasn’t my skill, it was my courage. My willingness to keep trying. My ability to recover after goals scored on me. My ability to tolerate visibility-both in good and hard moments.

I didn’t need to be the best. I just needed to be.

I’d like to think my eleven-year-old self is cheering me on now, is saying it’s okay to keep trying. To remember a time when I wasn't the best, but I was joyful and courageous. That short little gumdrop I used to be is part of me—and I can breathe and smile and access the power from those moments anytime I need.

How can you integrate past moments of being in your power to help you now & step into a deeper, more joyful, judgment-free self-understanding?