Don’t Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle

Many years ago, I remember watching a reality television show where one of the characters was always in conflict with other people on the show. Whenever she would have a negative encounter with a castmate, she would often repeat to herself , “don’t let anyone dull your sparkle”. It was so funny when she would say it; so much so that it became a running joke between my mom and me. She would randomly say, “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle, completely out of context to be humorous. I could be on the phone with her venting about my day or about someone nearly side swiping my car on the highway and she would say, “hey, don’t let anyone dull your sparkle,” and we would both laugh, instantly changing me mood. We would mock this phrase a lot; however, through a particularly challenging time in my life, when my mom would say it, those words took on a powerful, positive meaning.

Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle

Just like diamonds, each one of us is a unique creation. We have certain characteristics that make us different from others. We come in different shapes and sizes and colors. Just like diamonds, we each have a sparkle that people can notice from across a crowded room. And just like diamonds, without proper care, we can become dull and lose our sparkle.

There will always be times in life that can cause your sparkle to fade. When you're having problems in your relationships with others, or your boss doesn’t acknowledge your hard work. When your physical health isn’t quite where you want it to be, or you can’t seem to accomplish the goal that you so desperately want to accomplish; your ability to sparkle can be negatively impacted.

It’s important to stay focused on how you are capable, strong, and able to overcome any obstacles that come your way. Care for yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually by treating yourself right and never doubting your greatness. Don’t allow people’s words and opinions or life’s setbacks or failure to cause you to shrink back and stop shining. Pick yourself up, dust off the haters, put on your invisible superhero cape, and just keep going.

Never lose sight of who you actually are, and never give someone else the power to make you feel like less than you are. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle. As Aibileen, one of the characters in Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel The Help says to the main character of the story, “you is kind, you is smart, and you is important”. m Shine on, my friend! You never know whose life you’re positively impacting with your sparkle.