Our Deepest Fear

Yesterday, Vickie and I attended Easter service at Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Rev. Ed Lundin, a longtime friend, included this inspirational poem by Marianne Williamson in the program, and the assembled congregation recited it, together. Ed is the most loving soul I know; he radiates love and light and doesn't, to the consternation of many "by-the-bookers," get hung up on dogma. It's all pure love. And that's a positive thing in any community.

Our Deepest Fear

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, handsome, talented and 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 within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

---Marianne Williamson