It takes courage to be yourself. There are plenty of things in this world that are trying to shape us, shrink us and otherwise encourage us to live small. I know this small place. From time to time I find myself in that little boxed in place. Life gets in the way and I end up feeling trapped, misunderstood and like I am stuck living a life I was not meant to live.

Because I don't like hanging out in that cramped space, I have put together a "stop living small" tool box. It's a set of tools that help me break out of the mold and shake things up. When I am feeling stuck, I love running, rock climbing, hiking and yoga. I love being out in nature, and every once in awhile I need to jump in the lake and really mix it up.

When life is trying to shape us into something we are not, it take a lot of courage to go against the grain and shine bright. I was thinking about all of this today because I had just spent some time with a friend that is right in the thick of it. I was looking for new metaphors that I could add to my own personal tool box and share with others. I remembered my session with Tiffany.

Tiffany knows all about courage. When I was photographing Tiffany, she told me that she is a pole vaulter. I was fascinated. What is it like to run, as fast as you can, down the track and launch yourself into the air and up and over a bar? What does it feel like to land? Do you have time to think about what just happened on the way down? Are you afraid of falling?

Tiffany didn't shrink away from the conversation. She didn't tell me that it's pretty scary and she tries run as delicately as she can. On the contrary. She told me that she constantly wants to beat her record. She is always trying to set a new personal best. Raise the bar. Take it higher. Life is not going to hold this one back.

I love this image of pole vaulting. It's all about courage. It requires full commitment. You have to completely go for it without holding back. You can't make it up and over the bar if you doubt yourself or give less than you are capable of giving. Tiffany knows how to do this. She knows how to pour her heart into something that she loves, and she knows how to give it everything, even under pressure.

This is an amazing gift. It takes a unique person to live from the inside out. It's also an inspiring gift. I'm adding pole vaulting to my tool box (well, theoretically speaking). Next time life weighs in on me, I am going to think about charging forward and making it up and over the barrier. Whatever it takes to get out of the small, boxed in place as soon as possible. I hope that you will think about pole vaulting too. There's no reason either of us should live life small.

Tiffany, thank you for spending time with me. I loved getting to know you. Keep reaching for your dreams. When there are obstacles in your way, may you face them straight on and vault yourself right over anything trying to set you back. Your courage runs deep, and you naturally know how to be your true self. It's a wonderful gift and it inspires many people to keep reaching for their own goals.

Michelle Massey Barnes Photography

Shine Your Light