Do you Shrink or Glow?

Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,

but 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 enlightening about shrinking

so that others won't feel unsure 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 every one.

As we let our 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.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

Nelson Mandela 

Are you living life to capacity? Are you with those people that bring the best out of you? Do the people that you spend the most time with nourish your spirit or drain your soul? In turn, do you nourish their spirits or try their patience? 


Have you been developing your special gifts? Would people who know you be able to identify your gifts by your use of them?


Are you playing small? Have you accepted less in your life than you can have? Have you settled ? Have you settled for a ho hum love, a ho hum life? Do you get your joy vicariously through other people instead of finding it yourself? Do you sit next to your special someone and watch romance movies because you lack the romance between you? Do you love your spouse as a lover should or do you have a sexless marriage?  Do you share your hearts with those you love and are you honest with them? Are you capable of BIG love? 


Do you have an addiction? Addictions are a sign that all is not right in your world - a sign that you are settling. Addictions come in the form of excessive spending, alcohol consumption, food consumption, drug usage, extra-marital relationships, etc. Sometimes people are addicted to good things such as exercise or service. The problem comes when it is used as an attempt to deny the pain in your world. Only in honesty can you shed light on a problem to fix it. Understand that in this world, there will be things that cannot be repaired. Wisdom comes in knowing the difference.


Live large... not small. Live grandly... even in your simplicity. Love boldly! Laugh freely and loudly! Don't be afraid to stand out in a crowd - to command attention. You are a beautiful flower created to enrich the world with your scent and beauty. What's holding you back? Take some baby steps today to move toward a stronger, more fulfilling life... it's good for the soul!