Our Deepest Fear

Here's an inspirational quote that my friend April gave at a meeting. She was told that Nelson Mandela said it at his presidential inauguration, which would have gone along nicely with the rest of his speech, but he didn't say it. This is from Marianne Williamson who wrote it in Return to Love. I haven't read the book, but I really enjoyed the quote.

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 is not just in some of us; it is 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 have been touched, entertained, and inspired by other bloggers. Thanks for letting your light shine, and by doing so, giving me permission to let my light shine as well.