Our Deepest Fear
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, handsome, talented and 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 within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
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, handsome, talented and 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 within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson
This poem had a profound effect on me at first read. How many times do we think we ‘don’t measure up’ or get psyched out by an opponent or monumental task? On the surface it may feel like we’ll fail, in fact it almost becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when we dwell on it, but that is really nothing more than lack of confidence in our true abilities. If we work too hard or we dig too deep then we may very well become what we aspire to be. That is scary in itself, because what exists after the goal is achieved? Does that just perpetuate another goal or does that leave us feeling like we hadn’t thought and that we can’t accept that accomplishment and the hard work in reaching that goal? Do we just raise the bar again? As we begin to achieve, accept and take joy in that, we inspire others around us to take hold of their fears and to spread confidence that ‘I too can do that’ with the correct preparation, mindset and persistence. We can hide in darkness, where as, in the light, everyone will see us for what we are. We are bigger, better and stronger than we give ourselves credit for and by not living up to that potential, we squander what is naturally and spiritually bestowed upon us. We’re continuously conditioned to live in a state of fear and self-reflection on weaknesses, coupled with insurmountable challenges and a society that forever expects more and more of every one of us. But nobody puts more pressure on us than the little voice inside our heads. If we succeed beyond what we ever imagined, then what do we look forward to? Do we then act the authority on the matter and become the aspirational model. Yes, that is exactly right. The benchmark is set and the hard work required to achieve that. If it were easy, everyone would do it and the credibility would lessen. The shear ‘going for it’ whole heartedly is the mentality of success. Failure only comes in the lack of trying.
