In a world that often feels shrouded in shadows—fear, uncertainty, doubt—there’s something extraordinary about those who dare to glow. Not just in moments of triumph, but in the quiet darkness where their light is most needed.
Glowing isn’t about gloating, showing off or perfection. It’s not about having everything figured out or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about embracing the unique spark that’s already within you and letting it shine through the cracks, and sharing your talents. The world doesn’t need another person dimmed by shame, comparison or self-doubt. It needs people who understand that their light—however soft, bold, or flickering—is a beacon of hope for someone else.
What does it mean to glow? It means living with authenticity, even when it’s hard. It means showing kindness when it’s easier to look away. It means embracing your passions unapologetically and inspiring others to do the same. Glow is resilience in the face of adversity. It’s choosing love over fear, creativity over conformity, and courage over comfort.
Our job is to glow in the dark. To be the light when others can’t find their way. When you think of the stars in the night sky, they shine most brightly against the backdrop of darkness. That’s their purpose. That’s our purpose.
You Are The Moon and The Sun, Cassandra Gaisford, 2022
• Find Your Spark: Reflect on what brings you joy and energy. What makes you come alive? Lean into it.
• Protect Your Light: Glow doesn’t mean you have to burn out. Take time to rest, recharge, and protect your energy.
• Share Your Glow: Your light isn’t just for you—it’s for the people around you. A smile, a kind word, or a moment of encouragement can create ripples you’ll never see.
• Stand up for your rights: Protect your right to equality, to be treated fairly, and say ‘no’ to being treated as less.
The world needs more glow. It needs people who embrace their light, even in uncertain times. You don’t have to change the world overnight. Just start by lighting up the corner of it you’re in.
Remember, your glow isn’t just a gift—it’s a responsibility. So shine bright. Glow fiercely. Be the light that the darkness can never overcome. The world is waiting for your radiance.
For women, the journey to “glow”—to live authentically, confidently, and unapologetically—is often a complex path. Society frequently imposes barriers that diminish their light, making it harder to shine in their fullest potential. Here are some key ways this happens and why it’s important to recognize, challenge, and overcome these obstacles:
From a young age, women are often taught to fit into narrow molds: to be agreeable but assertive, ambitious but not too ambitious, nurturing but not overly emotional. These conflicting expectations can create internalized pressure to dim their true selves in favor of being “acceptable” to others.
The media bombards women with idealized images of beauty, creating a culture of comparison and self-criticism. The pressure to look a certain way can erode self-confidence, causing many women to undervalue the unique glow that comes from within.
Despite their qualifications and accomplishments, many women experience imposter syndrome, doubting their abilities and questioning their worth. This internalized self-doubt can lead to hesitation, missed opportunities, and a reluctance to fully step into their light.
The persistent gender wage gap, underrepresentation in leadership, and challenges like workplace harassment can make it difficult for women to feel valued and empowered in their careers. These barriers can diminish their confidence and hinder their ability to thrive professionally.
Women often bear the brunt of emotional labor—managing relationships, caregiving, and navigating social dynamics—on top of their professional and personal responsibilities. This invisible workload can be exhausting, leaving little energy to focus on their own glow.
Intersecting forms of discrimination, such as racism, ableism, and ageism, further compound the challenges many women face. For women of color, women with disabilities, and older women, societal biases can amplify the ways their glow is diminished, often rendering their voices invisible.
Women who speak up, take risks, or live boldly often face criticism or backlash. Fear of being labeled as “too much,” “too ambitious,” or “too emotional” can cause women to downplay their brilliance to avoid conflict or rejection.
Experiences of trauma—whether emotional, physical, or societal—can deeply impact a woman’s sense of self-worth and ability to shine. Healing from these experiences often requires time, support, and self-compassion, yet societal stigmas can make this process even harder.
Growing up in the 60s I wasn’t encouraged to shine—not in the way my brother was. Culturally, New Zealand was and still is a society that for the most part ‘preaches’ not boasting, not standing out, not being a Tall Poppy.’
A tall poppy is someone who stands out from the crowd, usually by excelling at one or more pursuits. Sadly, many New Zealanders are all too familiar with this phrase as they have been ‘cut down’ by those around them, taunted for their success and discouraged from celebrating their achievements. Tall Poppy Syndrome discourages excellence and prevents flourishing.
I still recall coming home with A’s on my report card and my mother chastising me, ‘Don’t outshine your brother.’
But the mistreatment didn’t end there. In my 20’s my grandmother died. I was the eldest grandchild, but she left her rural property in part to my brother—11 months younger than me. When my mother died, it continued, despite saying she wanted her children to be treated equally, I inherited less.
Reclaiming the glow is an act of rebelliousness in a world that tried to dim your light, cause you to suffer, or worse—give up.
Despite our challenges, women possess an extraordinary resilience and capacity to reclaim our glow. Here’s how we can support each other on this journey:
When we dismantle the systems and mindsets that diminish women’s light, we create a world where their glow not only endures but becomes a guiding force for everyone. Because when women shine, the world shines brighter too.
What a gorgeous reaction from my new collector. I love it—as much as she loves her new gilded beeswax painting. It was so lovely to be able to giggle and laugh and do so much healing before Lisa headed away for her cancer treatment surgery. If I had never showcased my talents, and followed my path with heart, my soul’s purpose to create more beauty in the world, Lisa would never have found this painting.
I hope you enjoy this wee video and that it brings you many smiles. I know I do, every time I watch the video.
The line, ‘The vain sex should not reach too high,’ supposedly comes from Queen Elizabeth I, and honestly, it’s such a moment of her time, isn’t it? Back then, women were expected to play it small, stay in their lane, and leave the big dreams to the men. But you know what’s fascinating about Elizabeth? She said things like this while ruling a whole kingdom and proving that women could do absolutely anything.
It’s almost as if she was playing the game to win—saying just enough to keep the critics quiet while showing, through her actions, that the so-called ‘vain sex’ could absolutely reach as high as the stars. That’s the joyful twist: even in a world full of ‘don’t get too big for your boots’ energy, Elizabeth soared. She led armies, wrote poetry, outwitted her enemies, and basically rewrote the rules for women in power.
So, whether she meant this phrase seriously or was being cheeky to keep the peace, the takeaway is clear: don’t let anyone tell you how high you’re allowed to reach. Dream big, live boldly, and let’s leave the limits behind, shall we?
Posted in: Blog
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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