I was working on the computer this evening while my kids were watching a Disney Movie called Akeelah and the Bee. There was a moment in the movie where the protagonist is made to read a quote that was hanging on the wall. Her tutor then asked her what the quote meant. I liked the idea of behind the quote so I looked it up. The quote was from
A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson
Here is the entire quote that is a little longer than the edited version in the movie.
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.
I wish every volleyball player in our club could learn this lesson - do not be afraid to be powerful, to be brave, to be dynamic. Dare to excel, dare to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous. As you dare to succeed you will find your team growing and succeeding with you.
The little girl in the movie’s description of what this quote meant was pretty straight to the point also - “Don’t be afraid.” When asked what she should not be afraid of she answered “Me.”
