Erin and I had a great afternoon together. We went hunting for a new apartment, got some lunch, and took in a matinée. We saw Akeelah and the Bee. The movie was wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone. Anyhoo, This quote was used in the movie and I just thought I would see what ya all think of it:
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 is not just in some of us; it is 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, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” 1992 (commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela, 1994 inauguration speech)
It is not the first time I’ve come across this. I have seen it used in other movies as well as quoted in at least one other book. Marianne Williamson is a sort of new age guru and she obviously wasn’t reading the The Canons of Dordt or the Institutes when she wrote it. I think these words from Williamson may evoke some pretty strong feelings (whether positive or negative?). So tell me what you think.
In the mean time, think Positive and have a super day 
Peace,
Wayne
Posted by Tim Flanders on May 18, 2006 at 6:23 pm
a lot of times people hold back from what they want to do because they are afraid. I see someone who needs help, and I’m afraid to help. Why? It seems an irrational fear. I guess the root of it is the fear that the person(s) will reject our help perhaps violently, and we’ll be taken aback. But then again, what can you lose? I always see myself in that position turning tail in a huff and “knowing” I’m the better person.
But this situation I say it isn’t the thought that counts. You can have compassion, but what is compassion without action?
A lot people pray real hard for the poor and helpless. Maybe they should do something about it, maybe they should be it. I’m definitely not guiltless in this area.
shalohm,
t. flanders