About a year ago, I was taking a course on mindfulness. My instructor gave me a copy of the poem “Our Deepest Fear”. They asked me to hang it where I could see the poem each day and read it.
Throughout my life, I’ve come across people who I felt I had to shrink who I was because of their insecurities. I felt that if I encouraged and supported them first that I would “fix” them. They would see how amazing they were and be so confident in themselves that they would return that support to me. However, it never worked out that way. What I failed to do, was focus on my own light and to let them be responsible for theirs.
I truly believe we are all meant to shine. I hope you enjoy this poem and as much as I did. – Ela
Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson
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’s 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’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
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