Our Deepest Fear

By Marianne Williamson

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 is not just in some of us; it is 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.

This is taken from her "A Return to Love: Reflection on the Principles of A Course in Miracles", and it's one of my favorite things ever written! I have adapted it to become a leadership prayer, and in various other ways, too, and it makes me cry every time I read or recite it - it's just that powerful! Read more about Marianne here.

NOTE: this quote is often found on the Internet incorrectly credited to Nelson Mandela from his Inauguration Speech, 1994, especially the last sentence of that quote, “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

She has also started the Peace Alliance - which is very exciting and is something you should check out!