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Fi's avatar

Love this. Thank you as it was something I needed to hear right now as I struggle with writing a newsletter here on Substack. It reminds me of this wonderful quote;

“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.”

― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

This is one of my all time fav poems! I have it framed above my desk !

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Fi's avatar

Great idea - I think I will do the same! x

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Nati Beltrán's avatar

And I love this quote so much, Fi!

So true... we are afraid of our light, and the infinite possibilities of what we create and who we might become.

I catch myself in the grips of this fear at times (too many times for my taste!), the fear I will do something great, be successful, get all the things I long for and dare to imagine. I am a wild creature that dares to dream big. And I am the most reliable source of resistance to my own progress, I admit!

And often I make myself smaller than I am and can become each and every time.

We, human beings, are such magnificent creatures with such beautiful and unbounded potential.... Each and every one of us. We see this in others. I wonder what you and I would create if we just dared to imagine and let the inner light shine through each and every day.

I really needed to hear this today. Feeling so grateful for this comment today1

Because... even though it is my deepest of beliefs and I even write about it... in the day to day I totally forget and succumb to the comfort of the darkness and my average self... instead of mustering the courage to embody by bigger self!

In case it helps someone think further:

I wrote about this concept of Daring to Dream your Greatest Self here:

Shine, Don't Shrink: The Courage to Own Your Greatness

https://natibeltran.substack.com/p/shine-dont-shrink-the-courage-to

I wrote about one such instance of self-doubt in this Substack

When you surpass your expectations of yourself

https://natibeltran.substack.com/p/the-empathic-leaders-way-when-you

Peace!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

You've captured so eloquently the essence of Shining Bright even during the darkest moments!

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Aiden MC's avatar

I like your interviews very much and always learn something from them. Thank you.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Dr Mehmet Yildiz's avatar

I loved this interview and followed Nati, who is another empathic and mindful leader like you. Thank you for empowering authentic writers and servant leaders. 🙏

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