Our Deepest Fear is Not That We Are Inadequate: the 4th Seed of Hope

Welcome to this 4th Seed of Hope, which has been to created to help you start this new year on a positive note:-) You can enjoy all my Seeds of Hope here. Each of these Seeds contains a quotation and some thoughts which I hope are helpful to you.

Here is the 4th Seed which has just been “germinated” for you:

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… As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

— Marianne Williamson from her book “A Return to Love”, and quoted by Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech.

As I look back on my life journey of 65 years so far, I realise that this fear has often been at the centre of being “seen” in the world; for many others as well as myself. What is the worst that could happen if I let myself shine with all my power? I may be judged unfairly or laughed at. What is the best that could happen? I could make a significant difference to other’s lives and therefore my own. An apparently simple choice, yet this fear is no light feather.

Perhaps this dilemma goes back to the time of humans as nomadic tribes, where belonging to the tribe meant the difference between life and death. Certainly this is the intensity of the angst experienced when this choice is before me. I can talk to myself all I like that we humans no longer live like this; that being dismissed from a group because I had the audacity to speak up is OK; that I shouldn’t feel this desperate angst because I will always find another group. But this logical thinking doesn’t stop the anxiety arising when a situation calls for me to act with all my power.

How do I overcome this block? The answer has been many years in the making…

My focus must be on my light; who I am at my best and how I can use this to help others. Letting my own light shine on others is my choice alone. As I farewell 2016 – even though it was a time of much darkness and loss – I can still choose the light. For 2017, I am working on a publishing platform for my writing, to share my light and help others to connect with theirs. I’d be delighted to hear your plans for this year:-)

Sending you light and hope for 2017, with the wish that this Seed inspires you towards your purpose with kindness.

Wendy