15 November 2008

powerful beyond measure

Our worst 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 doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people premission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson

6 comments:

Sarah said...

I love this. So much.

Unknown said...

Amen. Now how to actually do it, hmm...

Nanda Mama said...

I love this quote but it is chronically mis-attributed - It was Marianne Williamson in a letter to Oprah, not Nelson Mandela. It lifts me up so much more to know a woman wrote this to another woman.

Big Smooches

DoulaMomma said...

nanda mama,
I THOUGHT MW had said it...!
OK - made the change - thanks!

Cailin - so true...but an empowering perspective!

Sarah - me too!

Unknown said...

Off topic, but...have you seen this hub bub about the new Motrin baby wearing ad? I came across it on crunchydomesticgoddess.com, she has the link to the video of the ad. It's one of those what were they thinking type ads, at least to moms of a certain ilk, which I think we are. Check it out and voice your opinion, with e-mail or choosing another brand. Sorry to hog the comment board.

DoulaMomma said...

will check it out, Caitlin!