A few weeks ago, a person I only ever see a few times a year told me about how seeing me expressing a song on stage a few years ago had such a strong impact on her life and lifestyle choices. I was totally surprised by her sharing and asked her what it was that had such an effect, and what kind of effect it was.

She explained how she was very impressed by the way I got on the stage with such ease and joy, without any fear or fuss. She went on to say how great it was for her to witness someone up on the stage so powerfully and freely expressing; someone with such innocent joy and at the same time a contagious, sassy sparkle.

This situation changed her way of seeing ‘going on stage’ and expressing for all to see, as well as her anxiety about being seen. It “rocked her world,” she said, because it was clear now that this could be done in a different way, a simple way that’s free of the usual hype, excitement and serious organisation. But her greatest realisation was that going on stage can be done in a way that does not change your way of being  – that if you don’t force it, you can be the same either on or off the stage.

She said she then went back into ‘her life,’ freed from her former beliefs and expectations, and started to hold some presentations in her community during which she was somehow magically able to share freely and naturally with others in public (which is a pure gift, as she is holding so much wisdom!).

Why do I share this story with you? Not to say “I am so great” (even though I am), but to show that we, our expression in general, and every moment really counts.

I had nearly forgotten about this performance as it was years ago, the first of many to follow, and I had thought I offered great entertainment for the audience and that was that. In retrospect, I remember I had been through a ‘huuuge’ process beforehand. To make a long story short, I had to claim the worth of my performance against all odds – which was a lot, believe me! But it was worth it, and I was worth it, and when I finally stepped on to the stage it was all done, dusted and behind me so I simply enjoyed the gig and moved on.

Now through this encounter, I came to realise what an enormous impact I’d had on another – one person out of hundreds – or maybe I’d affected a few others as well, or perhaps the whole audience?

OMG. I was a bit shocked about how much impact my expression can have and the responsibility this reveals…

And another great realisation was dawning…

Pondering on that topic, I remembered a time when a friend put a large portion of a special herb mix I had just deeply appreciated into a big ‘take away box’ for us to take home. I told her that she didn’t have to give it to us, we can buy it as well, and she said, “Why not give it to you? You are always so bounteous!” indicating her appreciation of the generosity she had previously experienced with me. I was, however, surprised at the time because I was not so aware of being very ‘bounteous’ – it was so natural for me, no questions asked.

What I got from all this by and by, is that I am seen by people and that how I am and how I express is not just noticed, but also has an influence on them.

To follow this revelation, I then started to discover that everything I do and say and how I live is an inspiration for others – to join in or not. I realised this impact does not just apply to all the great performances I do, but must also apply to all the not so great actions in my life. Say if I become jealous or angry or judgmental – this is on the table for all to choose as well, is it not?! If I express judgmentally, another could be influenced by this and feel justified in judging as well.

The magnitude of my social responsibility and how much we all carry a responsibility for all others dawned on me.

Now I do not know how it is for you, but for me the word ‘responsibility’ insinuated a certain ‘heaviness’. To ‘take responsibility’ meant I was stuck with a burden – a burden I would have to take on and carry. It represented something I normally would like to avoid – a bit, or more. “That’s life…”

But the examples I spoke of above did not make me feel heavy or burdened; in fact, I felt lighter by what people told me. When I did something they loved, it felt totally natural for me to have done so as well: no burden!

Hmmm...

I engaged a bit more with this topic and found an article that lifted the lid on an even greater depth of accountability:

“Energetic Integrity is a commitment to living connected to your Soul, a way of living that comes from loving yourself and relating to others in that same loving way. This gentle way of living offers the world a harmlessness.” (Gabrielle Caplice & Natalie Benhayon, Energetic Integrity and Energetic Responsibility)

The authors present that there are just two kinds of energy, a healing one or a harming one, and that the one you connect to guarantees the quality of your expressions and transmissions. So you’re either acting in love, or against it.

Healing energy is the one that is connected to our soul, and therefore connected to us all – because we all have a soul and are equal in this state of being, which is love. As I understand it, a healing expression would be one that confirms our interconnectedness and Oneness and expands it.

I can relate this to my former examples. When I expressed my natural love, it inspired others to expand their life and expression. I can say that there have been many, many times in my life when others have inspired me to take stock, to come back to the ‘healing way of life’ and expand my expression.

And so I have come to understand that we learn and expand together! That this is what we are made for!

Becoming aware of the fact that I have an impact on everyone and that every one of my choices counts, means I am already taking responsibility, as I am no longer neglecting to see how powerful I am.

My power lies in my connection to soul, the connection I have to all others and in the fact that I can express in a healing way for all – or not.

I count. You count. Our way of living and expression counts. We matter!

It is our job, our purpose, and it is our responsibility to express the love that we are. In fact, I have the job of shining the divine light that I am coming from – WHAT A JOB!

By Sandra Schneider

Related Reading:
True Responsibility – My Understanding
Taking Responsibility and Making a Re-Commitment to Life
Responsibility and the Bigger Picture