You are the gift, the legacy that you leave.
The world recently lost a woman who made a massive impact on my life. Dr. Pamela Reilly.
It got me thinking about a quote I’ve read many times.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
I met Dr. Pamela (and don’t you dare call her Pam or she’ll get ya) in Indianapolis. I was making my 2nd attempt at starting a business. My mentor made one thing clear to me. Your network is your net worth, so get out there and talk to people. Build relationships with people who align with you. I went to a couple of networking events and found a plethora of people and information, but I wouldn’t say I developed relationships. Not until I was told about a “secret” networking group in Indianapolis. I was sent an invitation to their Facebook Group and promptly RSVP’d yes to my first networking event with them.
As I arrived to Broad Ripple Brewpub, I took a seat at a long outdoor table filled with other professionals, approximately 12 of us. Indiana Summers (hello, humidity) and I mix like oil and water. Add nerves to the mix, and I was a sweaty mess. The meeting began. One by one, they went around the table and shared something that was a win and something they needed help with. And together, as a group, they came up with advice and help for one another. I took special note of Dr. Pamela Reilly. Pamela was a Naturopathic Doctor. As someone who, at the time, had just been accepted to the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL, for their Naturopathy and Chiropractic health degrees, Dr. Pamela had a wealth of knowledge.
Unlike most NDs I was familiar with, she understood and respected the need for western medicine, but was also very knowledgeable about body systems and natural medicine that could potentially assist those systems. She and I met regularly, and I shared with her my own physical (and to some extent, spiritual) journey. While many, especially in the Western medical community, would disregard her wisdom, I took note. I studied what she would share with me, and followed up with my Western doctors, guiding them with her wisdom. Thanks to her courage and stepping into who she fully was, I was able to live my life with more ease.
I knew when I was being misguided due to her pointing out to me what to study and read. When doctors would lead me astray, I would use that knowledge to help them course correct.
When she passed, of course, my heart hit my stomach. I’m still processing her loss as it’s only been days. But her legacy wasn’t what she did. It’s who she was. It’s that she was bold enough to stand in who she was. When given pushback, being willing to have a respectful dialogue. She was one of the first people I felt comfortable enough to profess my lack of faith in the Jesus that the church portrays, without judgment. As someone who professed to be a follower of Christ, I expected less from her. A lesson in how I, myself, judge others too hastily.
For anyone who has read my book, you know how I feel about placing those who have passed on a pedestal. I’m sure she was on her own journey to becoming who she was meant to be, just like I am, and hopefully you are. Her death, as her life was, is a permission slip I needed to allow the world to see me a little more as who I am. Will I be misunderstood by some? I’m sure I will. And I also know that whoever needs to be impacted by my life will be, once I’m brave enough to stand fully as my highest and best self.
Thank you to all the Dr. Pamelas out there who shine their light despite the fear this plane of existence can often bring. You are your legacy, your gift to the world. Keep doing your inner work. Peel back the layers of who society has shaped you to be to see the beautiful soul behind it all. And then share yourself. You aren’t just the artist. You’re the piece of art - and you are constantly becoming. When you share, you’re giving the rest of us permission to do the same. This blog will soon feature more of who I am and less of what I do. Stay tuned.
Rest well, Dr. Pamela. You leave a void, but those who knew you were also left a lifetime of gifts.