There’s a popular quote I love 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’s not just 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 are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
This gives me goosebumps every time I read it! I have it printed on my office wall as a daily reminder of who I really am. It’s all too easy to play small and shrink in the face of our fears. We all have them. They can seem very, very real. Yet these fears, doubts and insecurities are merely illusory constructs of the ego mind. The part of us that does not want us to grow, evolve or simply, remember our immeasurable power, light and truth.
It is the part of us that “kills countless ideas and splendid plans” (William H Murray – The Scottish Himalayan Expedition). It’s the part that attempts a convincing story, advising us not to step forward towards the dreams that call us. The part that says no when our hearts want to expand into a big, loving, and often simultaneously terrifying; “Yes!”.
We must be OK to feel discomfort. That feeling of death that meets us when we are stretching into new versions of ourselves. Or better said; TRUE versions of ourselves. As we peel back the layers of our metaphorical onion, we are liberated time and time again towards our full potential.
The willingness to meet ourselves here and beyond each layer takes courage. Often we’re held back by the perceived judgment of who others are expecting us to be. “What will they think if I change?” And it’s not our fault, Love and Belonging are ingrained into us as a foundational requirement for survival (ref: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) So in fact, a very core level of us really does think we are facing death. And that’s OK. The more we can accept this feeling and override it with action, the less it will affect how we express ourselves in the world.
Because if there’s one thing for sure: the world needs you in all of your unique, sacred, self expression. The light that exists within you is here to be expressed and shared with the world in a way only you can.
By hiding this light, you are depriving yourself of the utmost joy and fulfilment. You are depriving others of getting to experience the real you and in turn, sparking their healing and transformation. It is our light that triggers others into their greatness. You don’t need to do anything special or what society would have us believe is ‘worthy’ of being valuable in the world. It’s more about letting go of everything you’re not and allowing that bright, magnificent light to shine through in your natural state of being.
I will leave you with this:
Read again the quote at the beginning of this article. Allow the essence of these words to permeate your entire being. Filling you with the courage to express yourself as you truly are: A Child of the Divine. Limitless. Unconditionally loved and loving. At one with the Creator. All powerful. All Knowing. Resourced beyond your wildest dreams.
Then ask yourself or journal around: What is the next action step that version of you is guided to take?
Then – go do it!
Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
Narelle Clyde is a Spiritual Mentor, Retreat Facilitator and #1 Bestselling Author with a passion for guiding others around the globe back to their most authentic self. Since a young age, Narelle has channelled a neo-ancient energetic healing modality that speaks directly to the soul, deeply activating the light within.
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
- Narelle Clyde, Our Expert
