When you shine, you allow others to do the same . . .

“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

This incredible passage from Marianne Williamson, found in her best-selling book A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks. In fact, this entire entry has been percolating for a while now. I guess I was just gathering more information or the Universe was showing me how many people suffer from this need to play small or keep their inner light on a dimmer set to low. Well, finally, I've started to write it and I have a feeling this subject might need more than just one entry.

Like Marianne mentions, we are all meant to shine! We are here on this Earth to shine a blindingly bright light and for this light to reach far and wide! We are all given a set of instructions when we come forth into the physical and nowhere in those instructions are the words "Keep your gifts to yourself and don't let yourself shine in order to not offend or make someone else feel bad about themselves." Nowhere! When we are born, we are the center of attention and we know it. Why? Well, it's not just because we are adorably cute, it's also because we just glow. Babies glow with the knowledge that they have arrived. They are here to have a really good time and make magic happen. It's inherent in all of us. So, what happens along the way to make us feel like we have no right to let this light shine? Why on earth would we start believing that it’s ok to go through life without fully realizing our inner beauty and letting that beauty flourish and radiate?

How many times are you afraid to do something just because you don't want to bring attention to yourself? How many times do you actually do what Marianne says and play small so that others around you won't feel insecure or think you are better than they are? How many times do you go against that inner voice that is always guiding you in the right direction? How many times do you not pay attention?

All good questions . . . I’ll get to them on the next post. Until then, let’s all start taking control of our own dimmer switch. First thing to do is to raise it up a notch. Just a little at first if you’re not ready for a full-blown light show . . . just a little. Shine!

Peace and Light to you and KEEP DREAMING!

Gene-Manuel