Maryanne Williamson wrote this and it was used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
“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 frightens us most.
We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ 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 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 all of us.
And when 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.”
When I am coaching my clients I encourage them to hand write this poem out and do so in the first person. Then to read it twice a day in front of the mirror for one whole month. If they forget even once, they have to start again from scratch.
Here is your chance to read this out loud to yourself and to do the exercise. It will transform who you are being in a matter of days.
“My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate. My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure. It is my light, not my darkness, that frightens me most.
I ask myself, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who am I not to be? I am a child of God. My playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around me. I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us.
And when I let my own light shine, I unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As I am liberated from my own fear, my presence automatically liberates others.”
Be great and live the life you love.
Regards Jennifer Elliott – Expert in developing Leaders in Business.
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Great post – great story
Have started the 30 day challenge
Will keep you posted
Thank you
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for the Blog. This is something I have heard you talk about before. This good stuff and I’m making sure it stays part of my homework until we meet again.
Regards
Jennifer,
Thank you for this Blog.
Jeff drew my attention to this at one of my Coaching Sessions and it has remained with me ever since.
I have repeated it to my self on many occasions.
I will continue to do this every day from now on.
Looking forward to our next meeting
in 09
I have had the good fortune to have two people in my life that had the same thought process as Nelson an that was my Mum & Dad, who raised me to be proud of who I am and where I came from and I feel that these words and the words I just spoke out loud are very powerful and potignant.
Thank you all for your comments. I am truly grateful for your suport and your wonderful results inspire me every day to do more and truly live a life of great service and greatness that inspires others
After some false starts, I am up to Day 15 in a row.
Its harder than it looks yet so far is well worth it
The first few times I found it hard to look at myself in the mirror – it was uncomfortable watching myself read.
Now it is a breeze – I own it and it is becoming part of me
Thanks a lot for the support
Hooray – Day 30 has been accomplished. Its been an interesting journey and one that is paying dividends already.
From feeling somewhat uncomfortable when I started, I love every part of the poem. It truly resonates with me and I am very very comfortable with my light.
Thank you for the inspiration