Our deepest fears.

Our Deepest Fear

    

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 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's 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're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 

 

(Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech)   

Our Deepest Fear was used in Nelson Mandela's speech, but it was written by Marianne   

Williamson. You can find it in her book "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles   

of a Course in Miracles," pages 190-191, 1992 publishing.