Who are you not to shine?

Image from dwellbeautiful.com

"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 doesn't serve the world. There's 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 subconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

This is such a beautiful quote by Marianne Williamson. You might recognize it as it went around  social media for a while erroneously attributed to Nelson Mandela's inaugural address. It brings up a very interesting perspective - that we actually fear our brilliance more than we fear our inadequacies. How often do we play small? Why do we hold back when it comes time to play big? What is it that we're really afraid of? We tend to focus so much on our humanness and all of the ego aspects that get in the way - fear, rejection, discouragement, procrastination, etc. If we could focus more on the real part of us - our Light, our Essence - how different would our lives be?

Kids really do just shine their Light. I can see it in their eyes, their smiles, their laughter and their curiosity. As we grow up and follow our ego and its script, that Light becomes hidden. It is up to us to reconnect to that part of us - to grow that spark and shine our Light out into the world. To BE who we really are. We are all Source. We all have and are this Light. We just have to dig through the layers and walls our ego has created to let that Light shine through. How do we do that? Meditate, do emotional release work, work with a professional who can assist you with tapping into your unconscious and help you change your ego's script. Most importantly, set the intent to connect to your Light, your true Essence - and be committed to it. Ask for guidance along the way from Source, the Angels, your Guides or whoever you pray to. Your Light is waiting for you - tap into it and SHINE.

P.S. - If you are drawn to the image above, Erica Sooter is offering it as a free printable on her website along with a lovely and heartfelt blog entry. Click here.

Love, Adrienne :)