"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."
Marianne Williamson A Return to Love
This quote is heard often and Marianne Williamson has it absolutely right. She says "your being small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." Find your light. Find what creates total bliss in your life and remember how it feels in your skin, in your body, breath and mind. When we remember how it feels to shine and try to do it whenever possible, then we can bring authenticity to all our interactions. Sharing this bliss with others is valuable, for as we allow ourselves to shine, everyone around us has "permission to do the same." This does not mean feign smiles or laughter through all interactions when you feel crummy inside or saddened by memories and interactions. If you can try to meet each person where they are with love and compassion, shining from deep within, and honoring your true feelings, then we all shine.
We find this hard as we have developed and honed great mechanisms to protect this light—or true real self—from being extinguished, hurt, smothered, or harmed in some way. It almost feels as though it is easier to hide this "real" version of ourselves than to open up and feel what we feel and to share that REAL version with others. But as you share love and light with the world, you receive many more times that amount of love and light in return. Practice noticing your interactions. Do you shield yourself before each conversation? Do you crack jokes before anyone can ask you about your day and push people away before they even come close? Do you engage with people? Are your conversations full of compassion and trust and honesty? Do not beat yourself up with these questions; but begin to think about what blocks your light from shining through. Notice as you engage with people and this light shines within you, allow it to fill you up and come through you out into the world.
