“Never let anyone dull your shine.”
- Tyra Banks
Fear. Some call it the most useless of all emotions. I have frequently blogged on this subject because we often allow this four-letter word to control our thoughts, feelings, actions and inactions. Conventional thinking has us believe that our greatest fear is failure… that we are in some way inadequate because we don’t possess all the answers. I can certainly see how this may evoke fear, but consider for a moment that the opposite is true. Do we hold ourselves back simply because we don’t want to fail, or because we fear our own success?
I used to think that fearing success was absurd. If given the option, surely we would all choose success over failure. But I have learned that “living the life you have imagined” requires us to step outside of ourselves – and others – in the pursuit of our dreams. Standing apart doesn’t make anyone better than any other, but it may cause discomfort in relationships we hold dear. But what if we could uplift others as we strive to do and be our very best? Marianne Williamson addresses this challenge beautifully, as follows:
“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 is not just in some of us; it is 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.”
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 is not just in some of us; it is 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.”
As stated, allowing our own light to shine isn’t about patting ourselves on the back, feeling superior or reserving bragging rights. The real power lies in setting an example for others – through ourselves – that their dreams are as achievable as our own. You have the power to be a reminder to others that if you can do it, so can they.
In the spirit of this new year, I encourage you to pursue your passions in order to be a blessing to others. You never know… your light could be a guiding force in someone else’s life.
Your comments are welcome.
