Phil Gerbyshak from Make It Great asked this question over the weekend:
Who needs your light? Are you sharing it with them?
It reminded me of part of Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural Address (see below) of a quote from Marianne Williamson:
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 and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God 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 fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Though this quote has gone round and round, I’m still moved by its message. The last two lines really drive it home for me.
Ask yourself today…”How can I shine my light today? In my life, my business, my family, anywhere. How?” How do you?
UPDATE: I just learned something new (gosh, I love that). I, and apparently many others, had thought that this quote came from Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural Address in front of the South African National Congres. However, it does not. I can be found in Marianne Williamson’s Return to Love.
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That lovely quote is actually from Marianne Williamson: http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/
quotes/williamson/our_deepest_fear/
Hmm.. apparently I’m shining my light today by making nitpicky corrections to other people’s blogs
Kristina,
Thank you for the correction. I did a little more homework and it appears you’re correct. So thanks for bringing my attention to this. I’ll make the needed corrections above.
What an amazing coincidence. When you told me about Phil’s article, the Marianne Williamson quote lept to my mind and I was going to write a post about that. Wild. Yeah and the mis-attribution is an old urban legend that started in the mid 90’s.
A most powerful post, for those who will read and take heed. No matter what our station in life or our successes or failures, we all have limitless capabilities … would that only realize it. thanks for something worthwhile to add to today’s thoughts.
Dave,
I actually didn’t know that. And if I had heard it before I may have blocked it out, wanting to attribute those eloquent words to a person of the caliber of Nelson Mandela.
Dave Starr,
You’re welcome. That really is the truth of who we are. A long-time friend and teacher likes to say, “You think you are a small star, when you contain the cosmos.” This is what I know to be each of our truth. How we awaken to, realize and live that is the reason we are here.
wow really impressive quote..it really gets to me..i never thought one paragraph could impulse you to achieve more things..
These kinds of thoughts help you find a reason to wake up every morning with a true goal. Always do your best in whatever you do!