H
mmm... I've been thinking about 'power' again, what we possess in terms of making things happen, and what we can and often must learn to accept. The ideals we have, the notions we are fed, the things we expect or take for granted can take us to breaking points when not achieved, which are in effect starting points - were we to look down the road we often fear imagining. It's a revelation in the making...
Some keep silent vigils in their hearts and thoughts while others share their burdens more freely, often seemingly expecting the answers they seek from those around them. Desperation can be seen in both these attitudes, actually. This is not a judgment, for many of us have been in both shoes at one time or another; The former waiting for answers from beyond, while not feeling able to make changes themselves, and the latter as well, not feeling able to trust their own voices, seeking reassurance from outside sources. They are not so different, you see. And yet so-called desperation is but a call for help, a signal for change to take place - a time to be gentle with ourselves, and to take an honest though perhaps unaccustomed inventory. It is not that help cannot come from either source, but that we often forego the power we are granted to make choices ourselves.
If we have lived with many judges, from whatever source, the "committee' often rules our lives. Yet if we shun all supposed outside influence, we still end up feeling alone and singled out. And from both these standpoints, we often negate and do not feel worthy enough to validate that which is innate in us - to question with integrity - to choose to embrace - and yes, even to doubt that which has been ingrained in us which leaves us feeling less than 'whole'. The smallest act of courage can be a beacon to others. But more than this, it is a call to be who we were meant to be...
~ A
cceptance does not mean surrender....
O
ur 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 and fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
You're playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking
so that other 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 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.
~ Nelson Mandela
