I love the following quote by Marianne Williamson.

I'm always moved by it.

Something in me recognizes the deep truth to her words.

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.

How about you?

Do you let your own 'light' shine? Or do you 'play small'?

Do you fear you are 'powerful beyond measure'?

Or do you doubt that you are powerful in the first place?

In fact, what does it mean to 'play small'?

And what does it look like to actually 'let your own light shine'?

Here's my take on these thoughts...

When you 'play small', you hesitate.

You doubt and question yourself, your ideas, and your value.

You hold back thoughts, actions, and insights - all the things that light you up.

When you 'play small', you don't give yourself permission to be fully immersed in your passions and interests - this feels indulgent, not 'productive' or 'worthwhile'.

When you 'play small', you don't allow for the space, stillness and silence needed to hear your innermost stirrings.

You hide your authentic self, believing it has no place in the 'real world'.

The thing is, your own 'light' cannot shine when you are 'playing small'.

What is your 'light', you ask?

Your 'light' is the unique essence you bring to the world.
It is a composite of your personality, history, gifts, and differentness.
It includes your likes and dislikes, your hurts, your passions and all your knowledge.

Your 'light' is what makes you singular. Irreplaceable. Precious.

Your 'light' is what makes you 'powerful beyond measure'.

Pause for a moment.
Really let that sink in.

You are irreplaceable, singular, and precious.

You are important. Your existence in this world matters.

There will never be another person exactly like you.

If you were to die today, the world would lose a form of greatness that could never be replaced; it would have lost a gift only you could give.

It can be scary to acknowledge this fact. To deeply comprehend the force of nature that you are, and that you are, indeed, powerful beyond measure.

Embracing your greatness requires that you step forward and be seen, and being seen feels vulnerable.

To show the real you is risky - it is safer to 'fit in' and 'conform' - but your radiance was not meant to be dimmed, it's meant to illuminate and dazzle, to change the calibre of your life, and the world at large.

The truth is, you can't help but glow; you are made of stardust after all, but the intensity with which you luminesce is in your hands.

Which would you choose?

The tepid light that filters through weakly on an overcast day, or the fiery vibrancy of a life bathed in sunlight?

Trust deeply in yourself, in your abilities.

Dare to carve your own path.

Fill your life with all that lights you up.

Choose maximum brilliance.

I shall leave you with this, dear friend...

If you have ever witnessed the breathtaking sparkle of sunlight dancing on water...

Then you have witnessed your own reflection.