Although this speech is frequently
attributed to Nelson Mandela, for his Inaugural address in 1994,
the original text was written by Marianne Williamson and appeared in her
book A Return To Love. I prefer the title, "Let you Light Shine"
to the more pessimistic version of "Our Deepest Fear."
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 and 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 about you. We were born to 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. ...let your light shine... |
About the Author:
Return to Love by Marianne Williamson Published by HarperCollins Publishers,
Incorporated, March 1996
From The Publisher:
A Return to Love is based on
"A Course in Miracles;" this self-study program teaches the practice of
love as an answer to life's
daily problems and fears. The book takes some of the Course's basic principles
and relates them to various issues that affect our daily lives. It is about
the practice of love, as a strength and not a weakness, as a daily answer
to the problems that confront us. This book is written as a guide to the
miraculous application of love as a balm on every wound. Whether our psychic
pain is in the area of relationships, health, career, or elsewhere, love
is a potent force, the cure, the "Answer". Marianne
Williamson shows us how by practicing love we can make our own lives more
fulfilling while
creating a more peaceful and loving world for our children.
For more information on Marianne
Williamson, visit her official website at http://www.marianne.com
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