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 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.

— Marianne Williamson

As I read this quote yesterday, I stopped in my tracks. I’d seen it before, but something was different this time. It struck me at my core. I pictured myself as the young girl in Akeelah and the Bee, voice quivering as I spoke the words aloud.

I’ll admit that I am afraid of the next frontier. It is scary to think about what could be around the corner. Big things are on the horizon, things I never dared to dream of before. But the decision has been made; I will not shrink. Humbly I ask, Who am I not to be?

What are you afraid of? And who are you not to be?

[Note: This quote is often attributed to Nelson Mandela, and I can close my eyes and almost hear him speaking it. It does seem quite fitting, and it reminded me to make Long Walk to Freedom my next read.]