I am not much for poetry. I guess it’s my “bottom line” nature that appreciates quotes (they are small and concise) versus beautiful prose. But I was stuck by the following – I have heard it attributed to a number for sources, ranging from Nelson Mandela to Bono. To the best of my ability, I have traced it back to Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love. I hope enjoy!

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.

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’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are 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 fears,

Our presence automatically liberates others.