Our Deepest Fear

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. -- Marianne Williamson

We are runners, and we are all successful within our own capabilities. But, so many of us are negative about our ourselves. We say that we can't succeed, that we can't set a new PB, that we can't run more than a few minutes. We put ourselves down so we can melt into the crowd. Instead, let us be who we are. Let us succeed in our running and in our lives and thus help others rise above the crowd and succeed in their lives.

My wife and I watched a beautiful movie this evening, "Akeelah and the Bee". Some of you have already seen it. If you haven't, get it and watch it. It is a story about accepting ourselves and about helping others be themselves. "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."