spring

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 as ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
actually... who are you not to be?
you are a child of the Universe.
your playing small doesn't serve the world.
there is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
we are born to manifest the glory of the Universe
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 consciously give other people permission
to do the same.
as we are liberated from our fear, our presence
automatically liberates others.

~from a speech given by nelson mandela, author unknown, with a few edits by yours truly