Why do we fear ourselves?
“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 frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ 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 people won’t feel insecure around you. 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 all of us. And when 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.” -Maryanne Williamson
I think that there is a lot to this quote. I first heard this quote on the movie, Coach Carter and I heard it on the movie, Akeelah and the Beejust last night. There must be some purpose to this quote becoming mainstream in our culture right now. I think that it is a very powerful statement to where our culture is heading. I think that a lot of our younger generation does not want to stand out from the crowd. In my experience the teenage generation of today wants to be given things and don’t know much about earning what they have or what they want. Kids blaming parents; students blaming teachers; when do we begin to hold the individual responsible, or better yet, when do we begin to hold ourselves responsible. I think that responsibility is a thing that is dwindling in our society.
Why aren’t we encouraging everyone to do the best they can instead of just enough to get by? Why can’t we be happy for those around us that are better at something? In my opinion, we should be embracing ourselves as well as those around us: similarities, differences, perks, and flaws. What is wrong with standing out? Why does that mean you cannot still belong?
I think it’s wrong that we are teaching our younger generations not to do all that they can do to improve themselves…we are teaching them to go with the way things are and do enough to get by….why???? What is a person entitled to if they don’t work for it just as they are??? If you can’t be yourself, and let yourself shine, you will never really know yourself or be happy….
However, I’m sure that some people would argue that you have to do what you have to do in order to make a life for yourself….and I guess that is where you either find a balance where you can do what you need to do as yourself…or you have to decide which is more important to you…being yourself or moving further in life as a member of the crowd.
I think the quote is a wise one, I don’t think there is anything wrong with intimidating the people around you…I think that the people around you should then take it as a challenge to shine brighter themselves instead of knocking you down to their level. Don’t be afraid to be yourself……and certainly don’t be afraid to be great.
Tags: encouraging, fear, People, responsibility
Filed under: quote of the day
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Maryanne Williamson’s quote is one of the defining themes of my life. We have only one life to live. We have only a limited amount of days. Why should i live my live small so as not to offend you or anyone else. I am who I am. I didn’t ask to be born, nor did I chose what I was born with.
Humility is a lie. Its the grease with which we lube our society so that those born small don’t feel small. I’ll tell you the true lie: Men were created equal. That’s a lie powerful people tell small people to keep them socially sedated. Per example, Rich republicans have redneck trash believing they will be rich one day, too. They just gotta work hard, and say their prayers, eat their vitamins and vote Republican. Those tax cuts on business will eventually trickle down – right? Lower taxes for everyone – even tough this study show that most US Companies don’t pay taxes anyways. Be good Christians, live a good christian life – and your children will be the better for it. Humilty and Faith, these are the tenets of God. But it ain’t happened yet has it. Poor Repubs have been voting Repub for decades and they are still poor. Poor Negroes have been voting Democrat for decades and we’ve gotten food stamps and pell grants. our children go to college and never come backto the ghetto
on point: Men are not created equal. We are what we were born to be. Humility is the way we are controlled by those smart enough to fake it. Pride is a sin – though I often wonder how can it be a sin to recognize the gifts god has given me. Would it be a greater sin to not maximize these gifts? though since all sins save one are equal in the eyes of the lord – i guess not. Of course, thats if you believe in a god who gives a damn.
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cnj222 Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 9:01 am cnj222(Quote)
Not only do the people in higher power tell the people who are living in poverty that they can be great to keep the peace but to give them the false hope that they need to have in order to have the motivation to keep doing the low end labor jobs in order to make the rich get richer. They need to have the “American Dream” that has always been a lie. Streets of gold, 2.5 kids, and a dog. We have developed this country on a lie and we have to keep it going and keep people believing in that lie to not only keep society sedated like you said, but to keep the hierarchy that we have going in the country. Not that I think it’s right that the the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but it’s also not right that the American people have not tried to educate themselves enough and involve themselves enough to realize that they are being lied to. If you don’t know what’s going on you can never make a difference, which is another good reason for the rich to keep lying and make excuses to exclude the common person.
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1 demonicume said this (February 10, 2009 at 5:37 am demonicume(Quote))