Monday, January 19, 2009

Our Deepest Fear

This post is going to be serious so if you are looking for a laugh you can click away now. I won't be offended.

Have you heard of Marianne Williamson?

No?

I hadn't either until a wonderful lady in my ward brought one of her quotes as a hand out for a class a couple of years ago. That handout is still hanging on my fridge. I read it every so often. Every time I do I get chills. Sometimes when I do it makes me cry because if it's truthfulness.
One of my dear friends is struggling right now. I wanted to share it with her. And I thought it might be helpful to those out there that haven't heard it. Part of the quote was used in the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" (if you haven't seen this movie put it on your Netflix list or go out and rent it! You must see this movie!) Here is what Marrianne has to say....
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 frightens us.

We ask ourselves 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? Your 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 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.
Isn't that amazing? As I think about this I wonder am I "playing small"? I know that I do this, often. Probably too often. So I need to stop being scared of who I am. I need to stand up. Walk tall and go forward each day knowing that I am a daughter of God. Yes I am. With His love, His power and His wisdom there is nothing I can't do.

We are all daughters (or sons) of God. He loves us and wants us to succeed, to be happy, to love and be loved. He wants us to care for each other. Lift one another, not tear each other down. He wants us to love each other, love ourselves and most importantly to love Him. To be grateful for all that He has given us. Most of all, He wants us to return again to live with Him someday. The way to do that is by remembering who we are.

Those were some of my dad's last words on this earth,
"Remember who you are. "

I'm trying dad (and Father). I'm really trying

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw her on Oprah a few years back and she has some powerful words, doesn't she? I too have made some changes in honor of my father, my earthly father and my heavenly one. Wonderful post.

Tyran, the Yeti Yogi said...

I had mentioned to you that Nelson Mandela said this, turns out we were both correct—if the Internet can be trusted that is. ;)

From what I've found, Marianne Williamson penned those paragraphs for Nelson Mandela's speech. She wrote 'em and he said 'em.

TJ said...

That really is awesome.

Mary said...

So beautifully put!

Jillene said...

What a beautiful post Shanna!! You are so amazing!!

Lara Neves said...

I have always loved that quote since I first heard it. I was also under the impression that Nelson Mandela was the author, so it's interesting to read the above comment about who actually wrote them in the first place. Thanks for sharing!

I also love the movie Akeelah and the Bee. Great show!

tiburon said...

Wow - that is some powerful stuff!

Thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE that quote! I have chewed on that one when I first heard it too. I do the same thing, down play and I think it's b/c the lines between confidence and cocky are so thin LOL

Go girl and thanks for sharing

Kristina P. said...

That quote has always been attributed to Mandela, so that was interesting to learn.

I loved reading the whole thing, because I usually just see the first paragrpah.

Anonymous said...

I am so going to hang that in my office at work.
Thank you.

Erin said...

That is a really special quote. And I love how some of your dad's last words emphasize the importance of it too.

Martha H. said...

I love this! I always thought it was Mandela, too. Fabulous stuff, though.

Wendyburd1 said...

That is lovely, I guess I hide mine too, light I mean.

Your post made me think of that song, "Walk Tall You're a Daughter", it is one of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

I love Marianne Williamson's book "Illuminata". If you've not read it, check it out. Book of very nice prayers. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is truly moving. Thanks for sharing!

muggins mahooney said...

What a great perspective. I have never looked at myself from that vantage. Thanks for sharing.

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Such a fantastic post. Just the pick-me-up I needed today. Thank you! I hope these words are as inspirational to your friend in need as they are to me. :)

-Francesca

Nick and Emily said...

WOW! that's extremely powerful, and moving. i'm totally small. i always look at people like you and Erin and say, "Dang, i wish i could be like that." you guys have power. i love watching and learning from you two.

How do you solve a problem like Malia? said...

That quote is truly amazing. I've stopped myself so many times from doing something because I've felt inadequate. Thanks for sharing.

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I know I already commented on this post, but I wanted to take a return trip to your blog this morning to thank you for all of your comment love. So very kind.

Let's make our cyber-love for you official today. We're following!

-Francesca