Saturday, November 20, 2010

Powerful Beyond Measure

For a couple of weeks, I've been ruminating on this passage from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson. It resonates with me so much, because I realize how we women especially, often tend to minimize the importance of our presence or our impact in this world.

Although the passage speaks of God by name, I think that the passage is meant for anyone, regardless of spiritual beliefs. If you're an atheist, simply substitute the word "mankind" instead. Some may want to use the words, "The Universe". If your religion has another name for a higher power, then use that. The important thing is the message.

I have thought about these words line by line, and I really feel the need to share these thoughts on this Saturday evening. I hope you'll give them some thought:



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 doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people will not 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 in just 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.


'Til tomorrow, my friends. Much love to all, and may you all shine.
xo

3 comments:

  1. I've heard the first two lines of that before and I didn't know where it was from, but I loved it. It's nice to see more, thank you.

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  2. Very beautiful. And very true. I often forget this... I guess we all have insecurities. Thank you for this post Franny, it's really inspiring!

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  3. I too have heard the first two lines before but they never made sense to me until I read this post. How very true and it sometimes takes a lifetime for us to realize this. Why do we hold back anyway? Often women are conditioned to take a back seat or blend in, in order to make others comfortable or feel good. I love people that shine and they are, in fact, the people who make us feel good about ourselves

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