The Biggest Fear: Afraid to be great
We all have fears which hold us back, hold us back from taking risks, trying something new, being different, living our dreams. The two most common one’s people would mention are a) the fear of rejection/loneliness and b) the fear of failure.
But contrary to the common perception of fear, there is one fear greater than any other, which holds us back more than any other: the fear of our own power and greatness. It is captured in my favourite quote from Marianne Williamson (which was used by Mandela in his inauguration speech in 1994) and it gives me goose bumps everytime I read it aloud. Here it is:
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, and fabulous ?” Actually who are you not to be ? 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 were born to manifest the glory that is within us. And as we let our 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 (used by Mandela 1994 in his inauguration speech)
Does it speak to you ? What does it stir up for you ?
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