Reflective Thought

In last few days I've been searching for & sorting various bits & pieces (as you seem to inevitably do in run-up to Christmas!)

In doing that, I came across my scribblings & thoughts from around the time I became a Senior Soldier (full member) in The Salvation Army...

I felt it would be interesting in this time around Christmas & New Year, when Christians & Non-Christians alike reflect on their lives (& the world around them), to add my little quote to the mix....

It always, whenever I read it, makes me pause for a moment....

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.

This quote has been attributed to Nelson Mandela, indeed for a long time I thought he had used it in his Inaugural Presidential Speech, but the source of this excellent thought lies elsewhere.

Either Way, It makes me think... for little while I try a little harder....