Our Deepest Fear

This Poem by Marrianne Williamson was used by Nelson Madella in his inaurgeration speech and is often atributed to him.  It serves to remind us all to be brave not let our fears hold us back.

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'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

 

 

 

Marianne Williamson 1992