Wednesday, September 23, 2009

No Fear

The following quote by Nelson Mandela came from the current copy of Networking, the newsletter of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship.

“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 in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our 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.”

Comment: Shrinking is not a Gospel value.

Update: This quote is not from Mandela, but Marianne Williamson. Read the comments for more.

2 comments:

EthelWare said...

Marianne Williamson said those wonderful words and the Mandela folks have publicaly stated that he never even quoted them as written. Isn't it better that he was not the one to say them- he has lived them.

Chris+ said...

EthelWare,

How great to hear from you. Thx for the correction. As I said, I saw it in a newsletter. I think you are right about it being better that Mandela didn't say it. Also here is a link to your point.
Peace.
C+

http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/quotes/williamson/our_deepest_fear/