“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.” ~ Marianne Williamson
By 41 Comments
Sunday Thought For The Day
Lance writes stories from his heart, aiming to inspire and motivate, as you align more fully with YOUR true peak. When he’s not here, you can find him hanging out with his family, riding a bike, or just generally acting goofy.
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Although this isn’t the message here, this actually remindes me that I’m full of contradictions. I’m OK about that because I’m trying to deal with it.
What if I could shine, really shine?
The idea feels good.
Thanks Lance.
WOW! That brought a tear to my eyes.….…so true! Powerful words. How many times have I hidden or shrunk to protect myself.…..or so I thought. Each day, I am working harder on letting my light shine
I have volunteered at my son’s book fair next week and our town’s fall festival next weekend. This is big for me.…..breaking out of my comfort zone but I know I will be blessed by these opportunities. Thanks for this powerful message today.
Annettes last blog post..Trees, BBQ, and Pumpkins
I’ve seen this many times and it’s true. Who are we not to be the best we can be. We needn’t hide and apologize for our unique gifts.
Thank you for your kinds words on my blog.
This is beautiful for my Sunday morning read. It gives me a sense of accepting who I am, and what the universe is giving me..
I saw this quote for the first time last year, and I was so moved that I made it to a wallpaper on my PC. I read it every day, I memorized it, and I meditated on it.
Within two months, I gathered the courage to quit my corporate job, move myself across America, and start my business!
Thank you for sharing this.
Akemi “spiritual entrepreneur” @ Yes to Mes last blog post..Gratitude Friday, Edition 13, Gratitude And Train For Humanity
Love your Sundays, Lance.
Writer Dads last blog post..Olly Olly Oxen Free
I am back for my weekly dose, Lance. You have not disappointed…
Thank you.
I hope you will submit this one for the next carnival.…
blessings and a week of magic, my friend,
CG
CG Walterss last blog post..CelebraZine: 20 Sept 08
This is one of my favorite quotes Lance. I love quotes that tell people how powerful and fabulous we can all be.
Marelisas last blog post..Dare to Follow Your Dream
The line I like best is “It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.” For me the light shines best when I get my ego out of the way, have a sense of humor, and am as authentic as I know how to be. It’s not whether or not I’m brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous, it’s that I am who I am, and that’s powerful indeed.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Touching Hearts and Changing Lives
Such an awesome quote. It’s true to, we often do fear success without realising it. For example, recently I had to admit to myself that I have been holding myself back career-wise because to have success in my chosen field would mean frequent air travel, and I hate flying. But I am just gonna get on those planes, dammit.
I am currently drowning in self pity pool of inadequacies
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..Food Allergies = Depressed
@Dave — You can shine, Dave, you can — and you do!
@Annette — That’s awesome, what you’re doing. Stepping out of your comfort zone, while scary, can also be very rewarding. I know it’ll go great for you Annette!
@Dr. Cason — I couldn’t agree more, thank you!
@BC Doan — That’s great to hear. Enjoy your Sunday!
@Akemi — That is really impressive! You are “living” this quote to the fullest — and that’s awesome! I wish you well in these new endeavors…
@Writer Dad — Thanks!
@CG Walters — Thanks, I’m glad you enjoy these. I do too.
@Marelisa — I really love this one too. It makes me feel like I have unlimited potential, and that’s a pretty awesome feeling!
@Jean — I like the way you look at this — that it’s in all of us! That’s powerful when we really think about it. That we all have it in us to be what we desire to be!
@Seamus — Success IS sometimes more fearful than failure. Thanks for sharing an example of this. Makes me wonder how many times I’ve held myself back because I fear what might become of it…
@Meleah — Hang in there. Let your light shine Meleah, you deserve it…
This is one of my favorites! I came here Sunday night so I didn’t miss it! hope you had a good weekend!
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Remembering Pen Pals…
I love that poem. In fact I’m going to print that out and keep that by my desk. It’s a great reminder that it’s only my fear that holds me back. I can’t let anyone, including myself hold me back from my dreams. That’s why it’s important to keep learning and bettering ourselves. Thanks Lance!
Karl Staib — Work Happy Nows last blog post..Imagination Isn’t Just for Kids
This is one of my absolute favorite quotes and I never ever get sick of reading it. It also serves to fire me up when I get down and wonder what I have to contribute in this world.
Thanks Lance.
Kelly
“There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.”
I’ve been doing that ever since I was little.
I believe women especially tend to do that.
This was wonderful. Thank you.
Vered — MomGrinds last blog post..A Weekend In Napa: 3 Days, No Internet, No Problem
I never thought about being scared of my light…but it’s so true. What is so bad about shining?? Why hide it under a bushel?
Thanks for this wonderful reminder.
Pink Inks last blog post..Mistaken Identity
Hi Lance,
I love the line “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” THAT is so powerful.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..Blogging — Filling A Void In Our Lives
Oh Lance, this poem is so beautiful. It never fails to touch me everytime I read it!
Thanks for sharing this powerful reminder!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Attract Our Travel Dreams
What a great poem to drift off to sleep with .… and to wake up with on a Monday!
My fav line: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Just beautiful, Lance!
Beautiful quote and awesome photo. (I hope it’s real and not digitally tweaked!)
@Wendi — Thanks, and I’m glad you like it! My weekend was wonderful…
@Karl — This is a great poem! And it also reminds me that I shouldn’t hold myself back. And to address the fears I have in my life.
@Kelly — It is great and powerful, when you really think about what is being said, isn’t it. We all have a light within us that we can let shine!
@Vered — I think we have all “shrunk” at times — thinking that is best. And, it might even feel right doing it. Unless we really think about what is possible — for us and for those around us — if we rise up and really let our light shine. And, yes, I think women tend to do this more. Maybe it’s related to the culture we grew up in, and now with women having more “equal” rights (I know we’re not completely there yet) — maybe this gender gap will begin to shrink…
@Pink Ink — Shine! Isn’t it a beautiful thought!
@Barbara — Yes, I find that same line to be very powerful. If we really “live” this line, we not only shine ourselves, but give others more freedom to do the same! And that’s pretty awesome!
@Evelyn — Your welcome! It is a touching poem, especially if you really take the time to think about what is being said.
@Linda — I love that line too. It says so much as to what is possible if we really “shine”!
@Glee Girl — It is beautiful! The picture is not mine, so I’m not sure. But, I’m going with it being “real”…
I love this one so much, it is at the start of one of my favourite songs (Hope by Twista ft Faith Evans) and also part of a speech in the film Coach Carter
I even have it saved in my Google Docs
Glen Allsopps last blog post..10 Things You Are Not
I’m with Glee Girl, I love that photo. Amazing. I bought my mum a balloon flight for her 60th and can’t wait for her to go up so I can take pix like that (cough cough)
Wonderful, Lance. Thanks
Robins last blog post..Insects Versus Mother Theresa
This quote has the ability to shed fear and doubt. It dares me to let my brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous self shine!
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Bingo! Embracing Money
“We are all meant to shine, as children do.” So true! Very nice as always!
Mark Salinass last blog post..High Fructose Corn Syrup by Cathy
Lance, beautiful quote there. It certainly went to the core of my heart and to depth of my soul. It is so true, we can do so much more we just need to overcome our fears. And of course, encouraging posts like this one give us the strength and the knowledge to do so. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Oh me…I just made a post today about accepting a compliment. This post does hit home. Acceptance of ourselves is required for us to be complete. If we are not complete then we cannot teach our children to be complete. I do sometimes struggle with this. I guess it is the aging thing. I don’t know.
Thank you for the reminder today. I needed this. Hey…I am heading back over to StumbleIt in a bit. Maybe I can get somewhere today.
Tammy Warrens last blog post..Adventure through time
This is so true. Thank you for reposting this. I keep reading it and reading it and reading it and hopefully it’ll sink in fully.
Ariel — We Are All Ones last blog post..Forcing Presence vs. Allowing Presence
@Glen — This is a great one! Now, I have to see Coach Carter — I’ve watched many of the inspirational sports movies that have been made, but never saw this one.
@Tara — Wow, what a great gift to give! It just looks so peaceful up in the sky in a balloon. I want to do that someday too!
@Robin — Your welcome!
@Stacey/CreateaBalance — That’s the part that I really like — that it helps to shed some of the doubt, and encourages us to be great! And that sounds like an awesome way to live our life!
@Mark — Thanks!
@Rarestone — Our fears and doubts, too often, cast a shadow on the true potential we have. We all can be great, in our own unique way, if we just believe it!
@Tammy — I’m not sure it’s an aging thing…I think, in a way, we all struggle at times to accept ourselves, and to be the best we can be. I think it’s a journey for us to get to where we desire to be. And part of that process is accepting who we are and determining what it is that makes us complete. You are not alone.
@Ariel — Right, I don’t think we can ever hear this message too much. It’s so powerful if you let it really sink in.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
Interestingly, I feel insecure, or at least uncomfortable, around people who don’t embrace the light inside themselves. People who truly embrace their own light– out of love and respect for their talents, not arrogance–are the most adept at making other people feel comfortable and secure.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Hey! Pay attention!
Who are we not to shine??!! God made us all very unique and special with so many talents. When we work to use those for Him we will shine beyond what we could ever imagine! Isn’t it great how that when we do shine we give others permission to do the same!
Thank you Lance for this reminder.
Jennifers last blog post..Are you in Balance?
Hi Lance. I’ve always loved this quote. Thanks for sharing it and creating the opportunity for us to share our insights. This brought out a lot of new ideas. I especially liked what Urban Panther said, “…I feel insecure, or at least uncomfortable, around people who don’t embrace the light inside themselves.” I’d never considered that before.
Davinas last blog post..Stepping Out Of These Old Shoes
Thank you Lance. I feel cheerier now. I do. I’m smiling and everything!!
Dave Fowlers last blog post..Women’s Work: The Hardest Work I’ve Ever Done
Very powerful quote. Thanks!
@Urban Panther — I love that point you make! When done for the right reasons, the “light” of others is both powerful and uplifting.
@Jennifer — Yes! We are all unique and special! And when we use the great gifts God has given to us to our fullest ability, we become a light for ourselves and for others! Thanks, Jennifer, you’ve said it so well…
@Davina — That’s what is so powerful for me, the sharing and community — and the new ways we have at looking at something from so many different angles! And, I agree about what Urban Panther said — it really was a new way for looking at this for me too.
@Dave — Hey, cheerier — that rings a bell!! You sound like my wife — she’s been extra “cheerful” (and letting me know it!) since my last post!
@Rachel — Your welcome.
i’ve read this passage before by marianne williamson and i’ve never forgotten it. it resonated with me because she spoke precisely to the fear that resides inside of me, inside many of us. “we are powerful beyond measure and it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” when i read that i thought it to be right on the mark. very wise woman.
rebeccas last blog post..That’s Ms. Jones to You…
When I began reading the post, I disagreed with it. I was afraid of being inadequate and not of being too powerful. I have never thought myself as powerful. As I continued reading it started to strike a chord with me and I started to understand it better. To me it means that if I take control of myself and do the best I can, others will see it and follow with their own actions therefore creating a domino effect.
Wonderful post, thanks!
Jennys last blog post..Don’t Laugh At…
This is so true, I can admit that I think it may be part of my problem in being confident. How am I special? Do I deserve to be secure in who I am when so many others are not? It’s a hard thing for me to overcome, but I think I am working on it, at least I hope I am.
Jennys last blog post..Moments
@Rebecca — Yes, we are powerful beyond measure, and that CAN be scary — when we really think about what we are capable of!
@Jenny — Jenny, I’m glad you enjoyed this. The domino effect is so true, we can pass on good or bad. And being confident is part of that also. It can be hard for me to overcome the idea of me being special too. But I am, and you are too! Remember that always…