Mandela wisdom

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 so 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 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. 

-Nelson Mandela

Wye River Feb 2012