- “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.”
I don't remember where I heard it, but I recently heard someone speak about how we are given talent and we should try to live so that we use them all up in order to "die empty". What a tragedy it is that so much wonderful potential and talent is lying buried in the graveyards of our world. Imagine if everybody who has ever lived used all of their gifts and talents, cultivated all of their good ideas and intentions, spent their life doing the thing(s) they could do... Just think about that for a second. How different would our world be? And what about if those who did use what they were given - whether it be musicians, authors, artists, political leaders, etc. - didn't? Where would we be today?
Another quote that relates to this topic and inspires me is by Helen Keller, one of my heroes. "I cannot do everything, but I can do something ... so I will not refuse to do the something I can do." Consider how awesome the world would be if everyone just did their one little thing -
Just something to think about. You are what you are and can do what you can do (and, conversely, can't do what what you can't do) for a reason. Please, do what you were made to do. The time is now. Celebrate life by living it!
I was curious so I looked up the quote and the site said it was Marianne Williamson who said it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post by the way!
jasonS, thank you so much! You know, it never even crossed my mind to look it up... And thanks for stopping by, Sir Sleuth.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes it is that we don't value our one little thing. I will lament about not having any particular talent, and someone will tell me that I am compassionate, or funny, and I'll think "They are sooooo trying to be nice...too bad I don't have a real talent, like music, art, dancing, or writing...." The problem is that we don't value our own talents sometimes, but covet the talents of others. At least I think that I am finding that to be the case for me. Good post. It really made me think. Thinking is good exercise for my brain. Recommended exercise per week three times for half an hour, right?
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Helen! You hit the nail right on the head.
ReplyDeleteI myself am conditioned to replying "nothing special" or "not much" when I'm asked what I'm good at, or what my skills or talents are. And I was fine with that. But I'm realising that's such an insult to God, such a slap in His face. We are all created so individually, uniquely and specially. Why do we shun that? Why do we compare ourselves to others who are actually supposed to be different than us? When did Hollywood become the standard for gifts and abilities, if you know what I mean? So, here's to embracing and celebrating our very own talents and using them, instead of comparing them and tucking them away!
And I'm so glad I was able to make someone think - I can barely make myself do as much!