Two quotes on a stormy, wintry morning, from feisty, provoking women.
Not sure if I'm still reflecting on the 'fear' theme or the 'light' theme, or maybe both.
Maybe my mood just matches the weather.
Either way, I woke up this morning feeling in the need of some reminders.
First, from Eleanor Roosevelt, and this 'dare' about how to take on the day (pictured). It's helpful to remember that life is most vibrantly lived in the business of doing things beyond myself, an endeavour that evokes the kind of fear that helps make sure important things get priority attention.
Second, from Marianne Williamson, and a quote Nelson Mandela helped make famous (and it is often incorrectly attributed to him). This one is longer, layered, and in some ways unsettling. I think it took me a long, long time to stop 'playing small,' and it remains a strong stress response still.
"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 word.
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'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 own presence automatically liberates others.
Marianne Williamson
All this to say...
If you are tempted to play small, hold back, or be less than you were created to be and need the reminder that you were 'born to make manifest the glory of God'...
If you need the encouragement to step forward into something that scares you...
If any of this helps you face whatever you're facing today...
Well...go for it!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment