Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Thus begins an inspirational quote from Marianne Williamson that has made the rounds for years. Nevertheless, I will reproduce it here just in case someone needs to hear it or experience it again or for the first time.
Do you ever play small? Writers, artists, and creative types (especially women) are notorious for not seeing their worth. But if we really believed these words to our core, our entire lives would change.
“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.“
How do you respond to this quote? Do you think her words have truth in them? Are you guilty of playing small? I’d love to hear from you. Meanwhile, I challenge you to do one thing today to let your “light shine.”
P.S. Along the same lines, I recently came across another quote by Senator Edward Kennedy which read: “There is no safety in hiding….”
P.P.S. I am an ex-shrink who writes award-winning novels. I am not playing small. Check out my books here.
> Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is
> that we are powerful beyond measure.
A few years ago I would have poo-pooed this as wishful thinking but now I think I would agree. All the responsibility that comes with this power is what is intimidating to many people. Of course, there are also the people who have no idea of their limitations and proceed as though they are omnipotent when they are deeply flawed and limited. A recent vice presidential candidate/former governor turned ardent blogger springs immediately to mind. She dies not fear being “powerful beyond measure” because she does not understand the accompanying responsibility. But for most of us that power is a sobering–and intimidating–thought.
Have you ever noticed that in our fantasies we have all this power but none of the ensuing responsibility?
I agree, John. Taking responsibility for our lives is what maturity, greatness, and true power is all about.
A speaker at a conference I attended a few years ago made the statement that Europeans consider Americans an “adolescent culture.” If this statement has truth to it, maybe that’s why taking responsibility is so hard for us. A lot of us are stuck in kind of a self-centered, peer pressured, blame-the-parents (or whoever is in authority) stage. Perhaps the answer is to grow ourselves up and grab the reigns of our own lives.
Thanks for your comment!
Hi,
I’m not a professional writer, just someone who took much comfort in this piece.
I am a stay at home mom to two toddlers (2 and 3). I also walk on crutches. As everyone tells me, parenting is tough enough…on crutches is an extra challenge.
This idea of power really hit me. When my children are “out of control”, I feel powerless. I can’t physically put them in a time out, or even just physically remove them from whatever they are destroying at any given moment. Last year, I really let it get the best of me. (My husband is a teacher so I had a break all summer, for which I know I am blessed).
This year, I am determined to learn to cope and not let it leave me depleted. And that’s where this idea really hit me. I know that I really have an immense amount of power. My children are learning from me every day. I am not the only person influencing them, but I am the one with them day in and day out. I am shaping how they feel about themselves, how they learn to treat others, how they look at the world. I have a responsibility to do this to the best of my ability and not just throw up my hands in frustration.
This reminder gave me a boost today…and more confidence to problem-solve and stay positive, rather than let this bring me down as low as I was feeling by the end of the last school year. Thank you!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for commenting. I bet you’re a great mom and I’m glad this post gave you a boost.
All the best,
Susan
What wonderful words of inspiration! And just what I needed to hear right now. When you’ve been taught not to stand out, success is like wearing a shoe that’s too large–you’re always fearful you’re going to lose it.
“When you’ve been taught not to stand out, success is like wearing a shoe that’s too large–you’re always fearful you’re going to lose it.”
That’s beautiful, Laurie.