OUR DEEPEST FEAR
—by Marianne Williamson
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.—excerpt from Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
Finding Our Light
“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
Each of us has our own light to shine, the passion and love in our hearts, the feeling of being alive.
What is that thing that enlivens you? What is your light?
Each of us must acknowledge and face our conscious and unconscious resistance to letting our own light shine. Perhaps it shows up as a fear of public speaking, a fear of singing, a fear of stepping into leadership roles, a fear of responsibility. However it shows up, it takes compassion, courage, and commitment in order to face those deep fears.
From Fear to Love
In my own fear of public speaking, I acknowledged the negative self-talk that said “You don’t have anything to say” and “You don’t have a voice that anyone wants to hear.” Instead, I began to feed the positive feelings inside of the passion and message that I want to share in the world.
I faced the problem by finding a community to support me. I found the courage to step up on stage in a supportive environment (Toastmasters). As I clutched onto the lectern like a life raft, my soft and tentative voice seemed to drown in the deep silence of the eyes staring back at me. I found compassion when my voice betrayed me and commitment to come back and continue to improve. At first, my own voice scared me, but then as I tapped into the passion of my message, I forgot the life raft, and I began to swim. As my confidence grew, I continued to commit to practicing the craft of public speaking. I explored the power and flexibility of my own voice.
A fear of speaking has been transformed for me today into a love of storytelling performance.
Will you face your deepest fear? Will you let your light shine?
Building Community
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.
Voices joined together create an inspiring community. Grow the courage to let your own light shine with the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” One voice inspires the next. One light inspires the next. Easy to learn and sing together, this gospel song builds community and courage. Originally written as a children’s song around 1920 by Harry Dixon Loes, “This Little Light of Mine” became an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Find your own courage and sing along.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Odetta reads “Our Deepest Fear” and sings “This Little Light of Mine”