When I was . . .

during my first year of university I sat in my sociology class, excited and i think a little scared. my teacher emphathized with us students and encouraged us. she shared a portion of Nelson Mandela's Inagural Speech that had encouraged her.

i have kept a copy of this Inaugural speech with me since my first year of university. so many thoughts come to mind when i read it, so many thoughts, it has been really encouraging to me and i hope that it will be as encouraging to you. ~ blessings ~

Nelson Mandela

Inaugural Speech 1994

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyound measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten 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 doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that

other people will not feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that

is within us.

It is not just some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we consciously

give people permission to do the same.

As we liberate from our own fear, our presence

automatically liberates others.