sepiaphoenix

This quote is one i've seen attributed to both Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson. Either way it's powerful and resonates on multiple levels.

"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."

Each time i read it, something different is revealed. The idea of freedom to let my light shine i recently saw as connecting with my submission. Submission is within me to my core and to not experience the fullness of it is to keep veiled a part of me. This is who i am, not just something i engage in or play at. It brings me joy when i am in that space fully, and i feel more settled and at even greater peace. To allow myself to remain in darkness at any degree is not acceptable. It's only half living and who wants that. Life is for the living and to be lived and embraced. The idea that embracing myself and letting all my light shine may give others the release to do the same is a lovely, joyful thought. In this lifestyle, i have experienced just that. Witnessing others who have stepped into who they are, occupying all of themselves in the real here and now without reservation, continues to enable me to see that it really must be done. It's a necessity. It's life blood.