Friday, March 23, 2007

Be


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. 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. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

3 comments:

Mark J said...

Hmmm

I heard Sir Paul Reeves use this speach - or a varient of it on TV some months back, and on Wednesday I found someone had posted it on the noticeboard at work. I copied it down - including the authors name, and only now, after posting it did I Google the author.
Regardless of wether you happen to agree with the authors history, views or actions, I think it's a nice piece of inspirational prose, and will leave it at that.

Di Mackey said...

I quote it as being by Nelson Mandela but I do believe he only quoted it in an important speech of his.

Glad you have it :)

Mark J said...

The Mandela thing re this speech is an urban myth. I'll flick you an email with the details :)