Monday Inspiration~Our Deepest Fear

Here are my latest drawings.

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.”

----from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

A friend sent me this poem and it has been my inspiration for the week.  It reminded me that whatever we are and have inside of us (be it a gift like creativity or a character trait like compassion), we need to bring it to the table.  We shouldn't let fear (of the response of others or of failure) keep us from what we believe is our calling.  From honing and using our abilities in a way that is affirming to God, ourselves, and others.  It takes courage to put yourself out there and you're not doing anybody any favors by "hiding your light under a bushel basket". 

For me, getting deeper into my art has been a time of reckoning.  Cleaning house.  Because taking a step out is always a step of faith.  That your efforts will be rewarded.  That it'll work out somehow.  Even if there's only light for the next step (like on a horribly foggy day), TAKE that next step, whatever it is, and then the next one becomes clearer.  A process of discovery.  Learning to trust that process and trust God IS faith.

So whatever that next step is for you, whether it be a long overdue apology or picking up a guitar or putting down a substance you numb yourself with, I hope you respond to the light you've been given. Even if it's a tiny nudge like, "Say hi to your neighbor."  Even if it's a microstep like, "I'll put my journal on my nightstand."  Go for it!!  Do it!!  Then tell me about it.

Be inspired!