Words To Live By

Diary of a Mad Woman had a moment of self doubt the other day. A totally unwarranted lack of confidence that spilled over, yet it was a completely understandable human moment, because who among us has not felt the same at one time or another?

I came across this exceedingly powerful excerpt (from his 1994 inaugural speech) at a time in my life when I was confused; it changed my internal dialogue & allowed me to accept & love myself more readily. I still turn to these words whenever I feel overcome and immediately I feel impacted & uplifted as if I were reading them for the first time. 

I share my favourite quotation here with you all and hope that the power of his words will resonate positively in your life.

"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, and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 

We were born instead to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us; it's in everyone! And, as we let our 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!"

His Excellency Nelson Mandela

awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1993

Nelson Mandela Foundation