Dec 16, 2013

Our deepest fear


"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 doesn't serve the world. There's 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 subconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
In tribute to Nelson Mandela, I was going to post this quote, but I found out that these famous words, which have often been attributed to him,  he never actually said them in a speech, nor wrote them.  This oft-reproduced reflection about "our deepest fear" originated with the 1992 work A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles, the best-selling first book by author Marianne Williamson.

And even if Nelson Mandela did not write these words, they are powerful and empowering.  So shine your light on the world!

2 comments:

  1. Yes, they are powerful words.
    The phrase about playing small has always resonated with me.
    Thanks! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marilyn, Thank you for your comment, and you to have a Merry Christmas!
      Margie

      Delete