This is a quote I include in class packets when I teach. I've typed it up and framed it for gifts, and have it posted in my office so that I remember it. I'm from the generation where children were "seen and not heard," and where even good, loving parents taught you to keep a low profile, to not aim too high, in the interest of minimizing life's disappointments.
Well, I've discovered on my own that life works best when you put everything you have into it, heart wide open, fearless, and aim so high the Hubble Telescope can spot you. These words should carry all of us into 2014.
From Nelson Mandela:
"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, whom 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 were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
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."
Well, I've discovered on my own that life works best when you put everything you have into it, heart wide open, fearless, and aim so high the Hubble Telescope can spot you. These words should carry all of us into 2014.
From Nelson Mandela:
"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, whom 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 were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
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."
What a wonderful way to enter the new year - with a new, stronger attitude! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Happy New Year, Mel!
DeleteMuriel, Thanks for the reminder to be all that we can be. Mandela was such an interesting man. We need a few people in our world to learn his ability of forgiveness. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Roz. It's amazing to me that he could have suffered so much and forgiven everything and everyone. Happy new year to you, too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome words to live by.
ReplyDeleteThey are. Happy New Year, Tara.
DeleteBeautiful quote Muriel!
ReplyDeleteIt is. Carry it with you. Happy New Year, Jen.
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd had this wonderful quote when I taught middle school! Thank you so much for sharing it. I'm going to post it on my personal Facebook page because many of my former students are now friends and it is such a beautiful truth. When I was a young teen, my father told me there were two ways to stand out in a crowd. One was to tear everyone else down so that I simply looked taller. The other was to focus my energies on improving myself, growing in a way that did not keep others from growing too. Bullies and the weak choose the former. I am happy to say I made the right choice and was never more certain of it than when teaching! Happy New Year, Muriel :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to know that you provided such a valuable step up to your students. I'm sure they'll all be recounting stories about you when they're older. Happy New Year, Karen.
ReplyDeleteMuriel! It worked! I just posted it and one of my students already reposted it on her Facebook page- I knew the kids would love this poem :)
DeleteAll right!
DeleteMuriel, thank you for sharing that. Mandela was a wise, patient and just man and those words are the perfect inspiration (and resolution) for the New Year. And passing those words on to others is the perfect gift. I know I needed to hear them and I plan on sharing them with my boys.
ReplyDeleteI also love what Karen's dad said. What a great visual for a child. Mine said something similar when I was a kid...about mean remarks and jealousy...and I never forgot because of the image he put in my head.
There is nothing in this world better than a good dad. Even better in a way than a mother. I remember being at a retreat where a priest said that the world rises to a level demanded by its women. If a father can have such a positive effect on a girl, she can be a woman who changes the world. Like Karen. Or you.
DeleteMuriel, what an amazing quote. I'm taking this with me into the new year!
ReplyDeleteGo, Syndi. And Happy New Year!
DeleteMuriel,
ReplyDeleteIt was just what I needed to read right now. Thank you so much.
My pleasure. Go with it, Pam. I think you're pretty fabulous. Put it out there. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful quote. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Marion. Happy New year.
DeleteThat is lovely, Muriel. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New year, Amy. Fun to have you aboard.
Delete