"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."
This passage is commonly mis-attributed to Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Address. It actually comes from the book 'A Return To Love' (1992) by Marianne Williamson
Author Marianne Williamson took A Course in Miracles and brought it into the modern world with her book A Return to Love. In the book, Williamson shares how the wisdom she drew from Miracles changed her life by rejecting fear and the behaviors based in fear. It is from A Return to Love that Williamson gave her most inspiring message that became an often quoted piece of advice:
"...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'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 own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Enjoy the “full potential” of your FABulous life and never feel so vulnerable that you are inclined to dim your light in order to feel less conspicuous and/or to make others feel more secure around you. Your gift to the world IS your life, in all of its wonder and talented measure. You are FABulously beautiful and the world needs to see that beauty (for one of the greatest losses is a treasure that is hidden away, never to be enjoyed by others).
Just as importantly, realizing your own beauty and sharing it with others is a gift you give yourself.
Cheers To Your FABlife,
Takila J
