Stepping Into Your Light
The Wisdom of Quetzalcoatl
Earlier this year, I promised to bring you more Masterclasses — and I’m excited to announce the next one is coming soon! I’m currently preparing a free New Work Masterclass on "Living Your Inner Diversity." If you’re interested, be sure to save the date:
THURSDAY, 8 May 2025
🕖 7 PM CEST 🇪🇺 | 🕐 1 PM EDT 🗽🇺🇸 | 🕙 10 AM PST 🐻🇺🇸
And no worries if you're in Oceania and prefer not to join at odd hours — I’ll make sure you get access to the recording!
If you know someone who could be interested, don’t hesitate to invite them, too.
I didn't invent the story I'm about to share with you today, but it touched me deeply. It comes from the lineage of Don José Ruiz and Don Miguel Ruiz, beautifully captured in The Wisdom of the Shamans: What the Ancient Masters Can Teach Us About Love and Life.
Resonating with my journey of finding the courage to leave a successful corporate career and pursue a life more aligned with my diverse passions and potential. 🐍🦜
We all face moments when we retreat into our caves—afraid to step into the light, to be seen, to fully shine. This ancient Toltec story speaks to that universal struggle and offers timeless wisdom on how to embrace the brilliance that lives within each of us. I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired me.
The Little Snake Who Learned to Fly
Once upon a time, a small snake lived in a dark cave, too afraid to venture into the light. While other snakes freely came and went, this one remained hidden in the shadows, paralysed by fear.
Tlaloc, the rain god, observed the little snake's growing fear and was moved with compassion. To help the snake overcome its fear, Tlaloc made it rain for months. As the cave slowly filled with water, the little snake was forced to climb higher and higher until, finally, it had no choice but to leave.
When the snake emerged, Tlaloc parted the clouds. Sunlight warmed the earth, and the little snake was amazed by the world outside—especially the beautiful quetzal birds soaring above.
Another snake slithered by and sneered, "You love those birds, don't you? You want to fly like them? Forget it! You're just a snake. You were born to crawl!"
The little snake's spirit nearly broke, but then something magical happened. Looking into a rain puddle, the snake saw its own reflection for the first time—its own eyes, its own power.
"I may not have wings," the snake realised, "but I have imagination. With imagination, I can break any barrier and make the impossible possible, because I believe in myself!"
Tlaloc, delighted by this awakening, blew the snake higher and higher until it flew near the sun. The snake realized the light of the sun was the same light within itself—the light it had feared for so long. The snake flew directly into the sun, emerging transformed as Quetzalcoatl, the magnificent feathered serpent.
Quetzalcoatl then dedicated himself to helping others trapped in their own caves of fear and limitation, bringing heaven to places of suffering.
The Cave of Familiarity
How often do we stay in situations that no longer serve us simply because they're familiar? Whether it's a job that stifles our creativity, relationships that drain our energy, or limiting beliefs that keep us small—we often choose the known darkness over the unknown light.
As Marianne Williamson wrote, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
The story of Quetzalcoatl teaches us that transformation requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Sometimes life itself creates the circumstances that force us out of our caves—not to punish us, but to reveal our true potential.
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Uniqueness
1. Identify Your Inner Cave
What situations, relationships, or beliefs are keeping you in darkness? Where are you telling yourself you're "not enough"? Recognizing these limitations is the first step toward transcending them.
2. Find Your Reflection
Like the little snake seeing its own eyes in the puddle, find moments of self-reflection. This might be through meditation, journaling, or conversations with trusted friends who see your potential. What unique gifts and perspectives do you bring to the world?
3. Harness Your Imagination
Imagination is your superpower. Dedicate 15 minutes daily to imagining your ideal life without limitations. As the shamans taught, we're dreaming all the time—why not consciously create the dream you choose?
4. Seek Inspiration
Surround yourself with people, ideas, and environments that inspire you. Visit art galleries, read biographies of those who overcame obstacles, or spend time in nature. Inspiration fuels imagination, which fuels creation.
5. Take Creative Action
Choose one creative activity this week—painting, writing, dancing, cooking—and pursue it without judgment. Creativity isn't just for "artists"; it's a mindset that transforms every aspect of life, breaking the habit of suffering.
6. Bring Creativity to Daily Tasks
Even mundane activities can become expressions of your uniqueness. As a friend once said, "No one in the world sweeps the floor like I do," as he turned cleaning into a dance. Your unique touch makes everything you do a potential masterpiece.
Remember, like Quetzalcoatl, you were not born to remain hidden in darkness. The light that seems frightening is actually your greatest power—and embracing it not only transforms your life but enables you to lift others into their own light.
What cave are you ready to leave behind today?
Ready to unlock the power of your imagination and embrace your unique diversity? Join my free Masterclass on 8 May 2025 and take the first step toward discovering your full potential. Reserve your spot now.