I was reminded of these powerful words today in my Multicultural Issues class and thought I would share them with you. So very helpful.
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.
~Marianne Williamson (and quoted by Nelson Mandela)
wow. Love that quote. It's funny that sometimes the most powerful words ever spoken are from those be oppressed. Why does it take pain for someone to listen? It's like the only time we can get any attention is when we have been burned by society for so long. Funny that the first place I learned about this quote was in "Coach Carter."
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