Thought This Was Cool - Part II

“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?

...

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.

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.”

After a Skype conversation with my friend today about what waits for us when we "grow up" I came across this quote that I have loved since high school, but have forgotten to dust off in a little bit. I remember writing this speech that Marianne Williamson wrote and Nelson Mandela made famous on the back of my Ice Hockey shirt as we were making our way to States. (If we are being honest...it was written into the script of "Coach Carter" and I am a sucker for those feel good sports movies and that is where I heard it, but it doesn't take away from how awesome it is!) And this seems like a great time to take it out of retirement.

My friend is amazingly talented, as are all of my friends. I am inspired by everyone I surround myself with. They all possess the ability to love without condition, brainstorm business ideas at the drop of a hat, push themselves athletically or take their creative ability to new levels.

So as my friend and I were discussing our respective passions and what we would want to spend the rest of our lives doing, the topic of (however slight it may be) the possibility of failing came up. There is a lot of darkness out there to ponder. Will their be longevity with what we love doing with our lives?

It's definitely something he and I have to think about as we reach the end of our educational road. (And that is coming up fast!) We are going to have to pull the trigger on something and hopefully it is pointed towards something we like. There is a lot out there that could trap you into settling and that was something we talked about. Both of us respect our individual talents and see bright futures for each other, but we were struck by how hard it was to believe them for ourselves. Why is it so hard to take a compliment and to start believing that we are headed down a path of nothing but greatness? - Even the most confident people have moments of "what-if?"

It's scary to admit those things. It's scary to admit that maybe we really are great and WHOA, there really is nothing to worry about. When others see a light around you they sometimes want to take it away from you out of fear of recognizing their own light. Maybe that is why sometimes it is easier to settle for mediocrity, to not have to climb the mountain to our greatest potential.

*And let me just clarify that success is all subjective. It is in complete equality with happiness. It doesn't neccesssarily mean a big house and a big figure paycheck. Those may be a part of a person's definition of success, but perhaps not the next person's. Success is all about honesty and happiness no matter what outlet it is found through.*

The rush of the realization that we all have something really awesome to hand the world is intimidating. I am still thinking about why? Any takers on this one? Maybe what's more intimidating is trying to figure out the outlet in which we will let our light shine through the brightest, but that is also the most fun part too. And it's true, that the more we embrace our own light, the more it encourages others to do the same. Which is why I am so thankful for everyone in my life because they are all being themselves and thriving, giving me permission to do the same!

Oh and if anyone wants to Skype me, my name is jaimie_crawford;)