Confidence Issues - Marianne Williamson Poem spoken by Nelson Mandela (The Sunday Times, 08 January 2006)

Printer friendly page


Q. I battle constantly with confidence issues. When January comes around, I religiously read self-help books and repeat affirmations like a parrot in an attempt to overcome my insecurities, but I still feel empty inside. Any ideas to inspire me for 2006?



A. I find the following words, written in a poem by Marianne Williamson, simply profound. Personally speaking, they touch me on a very deep level:


“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 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 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 fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”




By using this website or any of it's information you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.