A little while ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar with one of the leading teachers in personal development. I am a huge fan and this trip was a birthday present from my husband. As you can imagine, I was a little giddy with excitement when the day came. I always came away from such events with a renewal of energy and inspiration and countless insights and a-ha moments. The session began with the usual preamble packed to the brim with a richness of new ideas and concepts. My hand struggled to keep up as I tried to record every detail in my notes. It is so wonderful to be able to come back and read my notes time and time again. But then something intriguing happened.
I had been working through a personal issue around how to integrate my powerful (and sometimes over-controlling) mind with the deep sense of spiritual contentment I was experiencing. Up until that time it often felt like I had to choose between laser-beam focus or peace of mind. I knew in my heart that the two are not mutually incompatible but I hadn’t been able to blend them to the extent that I wanted. As the seminar 
progressed, my teacher began to describe this very dilemma. The rest of the audience disappeared and it felt as though she was talking directly to me. I felt the energy inside me soar and my pulse began to race. I knew the Universe was answering my question.
When she asked for a volunteer to share their thoughts, my hand had risen before she had completed the sentence. It seemed as though a spotlight of bright light was above me and I was not surprised when she indicated in my direction and the microphone found it’s way through the two thousand or so people and into my hands. I knew in my bones that this would be totally transformative.
Holding back on the energy and emotion, I shared my circumstances with complete honesty and transparency. I waited with baited anticipation for the response that would support the next step of my journey. What happened next took my breath away for all the wrong reasons (or maybe the right reasons that I was unaware of at the time!)
The teacher looked through me and fairly abruptly invited me to think about a different question and to sit back down. I was shocked. My first thought was “Is that it?!” But I obliged with the request and took my seat whilst she turned her attention to someone else. I felt invisible. This definitely wasn’t how it was meant to be.
As the shock dissipated, a new question began to surface in my mind—”Why did I sit back down?” She had asked for comments and questions. I had presented my thoughts. I didn’t get a response. Hang on; I wasn’t done! So why did I sit back down? I didn’t feel upset or angry any more. I could sense a new form of empowerment rising inside me. I remembered and recalled all the times in my life when I have, metaphorically speaking, sat back down before I was ready. How would my life have been different if I had stayed standing even when those around me might have preferred me to be more compliant or less visible.
I got a wonderful lesson that day. Not perhaps in the form that I would have liked but I have since experienced 
such change and transformation in my life through this new awareness. I am sure that many would argue that I was looking for advice in the wrong place and certainly I have no doubt that I was too attached to it turning out a particular way. But the learning for me is that we all deserve to be up on our feet!
And so I invite you to stand up in your life. If anyone ever asks you to sit back down before you are ready, simply send them love and light and carry on standing. You have every right to be your magnificent and authentic self without apology or shrinking back. So shine on my friends and then we will all stand together!
By Tiffany Kay
Tiffany Kay is a transformational coach, inspirational speaker and the creator of Living an Inspired Life. After flat-lining through the early part of her life, Tiffany faced a challenging and transformational time of awakening. Following her son’s open-heart surgery, she realised that life matters and made a deliberate and conscious decision to make her life a life that counted. Since then she has been inspiring others to discover the truth of who they are!
Tiffany runs a coaching programme called “Your Life Two” that helps women to turn crises and transitions into awakenings – to design and sculpt an inspired life and to find the happiness they truly deserve.
Tiffany is also the author of “JoyScope” – a book and blog offering daily inspirations to nourish the heart and soul.
Website www.tiffanykay.com and www.yourlifetwo.com
