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 are all meant to shine, as children do. We are 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. ~ Marianne Williamson
This quote by Marianne Williamson is one of my all-time favorite quotes. To be honest, I could just leave the photo and the quote and my blog entry for today would be worthy of reading and people would gain much from it – without needing a word of extra input from me. Suffice it to say that I agree with Marianne 100%. I do think that we are often afraid of our own light and success. With success comes great responsibility, and this is scary for many of us. We must stand up and shine, be who we are in the midst of the world around us. We can contribute and let our light shine – we can use ourselves to help to bring the darkness out of the lives of others. And, as Marianne gracefully pointed out, as we shed our inhibitions and allow our light to shine, we are indeed empowering others to do the same.
Today, 314 days ’til 40, I will seek to let my light shine in all circumstances I encounter in my life. I hope and pray that you will do the same.
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.”
~ Dwight L Moody
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
Words From the Moon
April 13, 2012 at 00:27
I agree, I love that quote and especially the line, “Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.” To me, that just says it all. Thank you for a great post.
400daystil40
April 13, 2012 at 02:22
Thanks!
Cathy
April 13, 2012 at 00:41
I love that message. And the last quote sums it up so nicely. It’s true that others benefit too if we let our light shine! 🙂
400daystil40
April 13, 2012 at 02:22
Yes! I really like the last quote.
Stuart Otway-Smith
April 13, 2012 at 01:32
Reblogged this on Smile if your sexy! and commented:
Thanks once again, outstanding.
allthingsboys
April 13, 2012 at 01:39
“With success comes great responsibility, and this is scary for many of us.”
I totally agree with this. Success does carry heavy responsibility, and that responsibility is scary. But I think one of the reasons it’s scary is because we are afraid of somehow messing it up, or losing it. Great post and food for thought!
400daystil40
April 13, 2012 at 02:19
Yes, definitely!
writerwannabe763
April 13, 2012 at 03:12
Sometimes it takes a lot of years to find this truth….Diane
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 01:03
Yes, that is so true… perhaps those of us who are aware we need to find it will discover it quicker! 🙂
monarchmentoring
April 13, 2012 at 04:13
Ugh-beautiful. Exactly what I needed to hear right now. I will let my light shine-because otherwise I am not serving the world as I was meant to. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 01:02
Thanks for your comment, I feel the same way – when we are not shining we are not really living our lives to our utmost potential.
saka16492
April 13, 2012 at 04:28
Let’s recognise our true inner potential and live up to it..I love all your posts..Great stuff..Keep going
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 01:01
Yes! Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
artblablablablog
April 13, 2012 at 05:18
So true, why is that? Why do we embrace the negative and avoid the positive of who we are? The very things that make us thrive scare us. I don’t get it. Great post.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 01:01
Very, very good point…. it is sad to me that the things that would allow us to thrive are the things that we shy away from. As I move towards 40, I want to work on challenging myself to face those fears and allow myself to continue to grow, to find those wings and fly – I hope you do the same! 🙂
Sheri Fuchs
April 13, 2012 at 05:31
Reblogged this on fortheloveofus and commented:
This afternoon I got out an art project I’ve been working on over the months. I’m not an artist by any means, but I like to create and experiment. It opens me up and gives my spirit freedom to fly…or float…or just be.
As I was sifting through my pre-set websites, I came across something that touched my spirit and made me want to fly. Thank you 400 Days ’til 40!
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 01:00
And thank you! 🙂
Amy
April 13, 2012 at 05:49
Thanks for that. 🙂
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:59
You are welcome! 😉
Maura
April 13, 2012 at 05:56
Another post that is so absolutely right, and yet still hard to fully live. It is something to strive for. Thanks for the reminder!
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:59
Yes, this is one of those concepts that we are always needing to remind ourselves about!
sahbinahvioletflynn
April 13, 2012 at 05:56
Oh wow! Earlier today I had decided to research in how many instances this quote had been used because in the last three days, I have received three instances of it coming across my radar. The first was a you tube video that included the quote from my running coach for inspiration, next a Positiviely Positive blog post and then a blog post from Jacob Sokol of Sensophy. Yours was the fourth instance. Sorry for the long comment…it just seems serendipitous;o)
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:58
Wow, that is so cool, and yes, very serendipitous! The funny thing is, I actually wrote this post for today a while ago as I knew I was going to be out of town and needed to have the post ready to go. 🙂
sahbinahvioletflynn
April 14, 2012 at 02:21
Amazing!
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 02:58
😉
rabidmongoose
April 13, 2012 at 06:07
Matthew 5:14-15: “You are the light of the world. A city placed on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (NIV)
Andy Stanley gave a great sermon on these verses recently, and his point was this: Light always shines. Light ALWAYS shines.
So let your light shine on others and show them the way.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:56
Yes, the post, 347 Days ’til 40: A light in the Darkness, I quoted “No amount of darkness can put out the light of a single candle” – This seems to be right in line with your comment today. 🙂
viveka
April 13, 2012 at 10:41
So true …. it doesn’t take anything! It’s for us to be our self and don’t look at yourself too seriously. It’s also true that success carry responsibility – but the real shine some from within – our heart and soul. The responsibility I think we take too seriously – we forget to laugh, made bad jokes and rightly we are so afraid mess it up – that our shine fades. When I was on hospital during my treatments – and I was very sick, sicker then I realized – .. I cried, laughed and told many bad jokes … I was pissed off most of the time, but my doctors has told me that I kept the ward’s spirit up, both on patients and staff, nothing I was aware of at the time – and I didn’t do anything more then being myself. That’s all we need to shine.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:51
Yes, definitely. I find that when I allow myself to shine I really do so much better. I am sure that your attitude in the ward when you were sick helped the other patients and the staff, even in the moments when you did not always feel it inside, and it probably helped in your healing and recovery. I do find that when I am feeling bad, if I can brighten the day of someone else it can also help to brighten my own mood. This is such a gift.
viveka
April 14, 2012 at 00:58
I think it’s a gift we all have – but … some us can share – others neither don’t feel the need for it or not aware of what or how to do it. Yes, it helped me in my healing – to care for other’s well being .. took the thoughts away from what was my problems.
moknits
April 13, 2012 at 11:26
Thanks for the love on my recent post. This quote is one of my favorites too.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:49
Thank you! 🙂
Victoria Oldham
April 13, 2012 at 11:32
I’ve only just learned this lesson, and everyday I’m amazed at what I’m able to accomplish just by reaching out.
Thanks for the wonderful reminder.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:48
Yes, it is so true, and the reminders help!
MinkaM
April 13, 2012 at 16:24
I have that quote on my fridge. I read it every day. It still makes me tear up.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:48
Yes, it is one of my all-time favorites.
Katherine O. Cooper
April 13, 2012 at 20:14
Thanks for stopping by my blog (Attendance Please) and giving me a like on my alphabet travels this month. I’d never read that quote that you have in the end…I like it very much. Keep up the great work. ~ Kate
(hey Stuart – how do I highlight my blog title in a comment to create a link?) Popping over to your place.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:47
Thank you so much, and thank you for stopping by my blog as well, please visit again!
Katherine O. Cooper
April 14, 2012 at 17:33
I certainly will…stop on over to my pad (attendanceplease – I don’t know how to make the link live in a comment, do you?) if you get a chance. Take care, Kate
rachturner
April 13, 2012 at 23:49
Great, thought-provoking post! The Marianne Williamson quote is one of my all-time favs.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 00:47
Me too!
Louise Behiel
April 14, 2012 at 06:05
love the quote. I’ve shortened it to this:” why not me?” that sums up and refutes all my negative thinking.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 23:23
Great paraphrase of the quote! 🙂
charlesmashburn
April 14, 2012 at 16:29
Wonderful quote, beautiful message, and I absolutely agree! Thanks for sharing all this with us today! Shine on!
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 23:17
Thank you!
domesticpolichick
April 14, 2012 at 17:56
Totally agree. Life is so much more rewarding when we acknowledge and face our fears and then take the plunge.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 23:08
Yes, it is, isn’t it? Not always easy, but so much better!
burgersbite ~ …A honest photography Blog
April 14, 2012 at 21:02
So true dear….
In my view (influenced on), the greatness of a man is in ITS simplicity.(Not in HIM)
As soon we understand the core of this, we get a positive surrounding.
Thanks..
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 22:57
Thanks for your wonderful comment! 😉
mandy main
April 14, 2012 at 21:03
I love this quote! I often use it in teaching meditation and yoga. It really seems to strike a chord with so many people.
400daystil40
April 14, 2012 at 22:57
Yes, it really does!
Michelle B. Araneta
April 15, 2012 at 12:48
That is a gorgeous, gorgeous quote! Thank you for sharing, we need to be constantly reminded that we should not fear being great.
400daystil40
April 15, 2012 at 13:13
Yes, we really do!
Debbie
April 16, 2012 at 00:38
Yes, my favorite quote of all time. I write a blog about perspectives on life and enjoying noticing the mundane as well as the extraordinary. Writing is a great way to reflect on life, our gifts, and the absurdity of the world.
400daystil40
April 16, 2012 at 11:40
This is also on my favorite quotes list! Yes, writing is a wonderful way to reflect on life (and fun too!) 🙂
Spider42
April 16, 2012 at 10:13
Absolutely true in a lot of ways but no entirely so in a real sense – we all should and need to shine and want to shine. But as you say, everyone fears doing so… and while those that DO shine do indeed inspire others, unfortunately far too many enjoy the all-too-human act of building up people who shine and putting them on a pedestal… and then enjoy even more, watching them fall from it. The higher the better.
There is a perverse quality to it, but until we can get past either being unhappy/jealous or being filled with fear (thanks in no small part to social, cultural and religious influence and inducement into our sensibilities!), that willingness to shine and to be happy for others will remain a subdued thing.
But don’t let my cynicism get you down please, if one wishes and is willing to shine – do it the way it should be, for love of it alone and to hell with what anyone around you has to say!
400daystil40
April 16, 2012 at 11:07
You make a good point, some people allow themselves to shine and bask in that glory so much they probably fit the definition of narcissistic personality disorder (a topic I wrote about a while back). 🙂
Spider42
April 16, 2012 at 14:47
Any chance you could link that one? Might be interesting to read.
400daystil40
April 16, 2012 at 15:37
🙂
Spider42
April 16, 2012 at 21:36
Thanks!
clynchie
April 19, 2012 at 00:35
Wow – I’m glad I’ve found your blog. I love love love that quote by Marianne Williamson, and is one I came across about a year ago. It resonates within me! It’s so sad that as individuals we desire to be accepted and loved and so often to achieve this we conform and try to be that which we are not. We are all uniquely made with a purpose and when we are living in that our light shines, even if we are unaware who it touches. Great post. Keep writing!
400daystil40
April 19, 2012 at 09:10
Me too, I think it is one of my all-time favorite quotes! 🙂