Friday, January 26, 2007

Who are you not to be GREAT!

Our deepest fear is NOT that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

This is one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite inspirational authors Marianne Williamson. I remember seeing her the first time on The Oprah Winfrey Show when her first book, A Return To Love, was published. It was then that Oprah admitted that the reason she felt she couldn't lose her extra weight, is because it made people more comfortable with her power. Can you imagine, staying in a body that doesn't feel comfortable to you, simply to put other people at ease? Quite a sacrifice, huh? And it may sound silly to some but I wonder - if we really think about it, how many of us dampen our light in one way or another in order to make others more comfortable with our power. Think about it today and sing with me the song we all learned in church before we could walk:

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
(The kids hold up their index finger and move it in a circular motion.)

Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Won't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
(When the kids sing "Won't let Satan blow it out....they blow on their finger.)

Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

(The children cup one hand over their finger and when shouting NO they remove their cupped hand)
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine over the whole wide world,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.


Here's to seeing your lights shining all over the world!

4 comments:

  1. Great responses. I hope you don't mind if I borrow a couple of your questions of the gender and bring them to Bridging the Gap.

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  2. Great post of inspiration, Nikki. I believe we have to power to be and to achieve if we believe in ourself.

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  3. Anonymous10:56 AM

    They say we are who we think we are. Keep thinking positive and watch the good comma flowing. Great post of inspiration!

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  4. So true. I've tell people all around me to expect greatness. While being "great" is subjective, we each have a gift and it's up to us to develop and use that gift for God's glory. The process of doing that, in itself, is being great. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you! Peace & blessings.

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