This poem was written by Marianne Williamson, although many others, including Nelson Mandela, have been credited with it. I suspect this is because many (including Nelson Mandela) have used these words at poignant times in their careers.
Many of you will know this but every time I read it, it still has an impact.
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?”
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 were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is 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.
