Artist for the Picture unknown. Thanks to Evelyn Tan from Philippines for sending this.
Points to Ponder:“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.” - Marianne Williamson
Story Line: “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
For more than two decades the profound message that Marianne Williamson wrote in her 1992 book A Return to Love was falsely attributed to Nelson Mandela. For those interested in learning more about the background here is the link
Reflection: We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?.......And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
Reflection:
SIMILAR TO MATTHEW 5:16
GREAT QUOTE, FAMOUS QUOTE
Posted by: HUMBLE WARRIOR | January 10, 2020 at 03:39 PM
Wonderful reflection ❤️ Thank you!
Posted by: Mary Abel | January 10, 2020 at 05:48 PM
I think than many people in modern society come to realize (with age and maturity) that fancy material objects bring only temporary pleasures. Medications (as well as chemical pleasures fron tobacco, alcohol,etc.) can help us to heal, or be more comfortable, or stay calm, but they can also be addictive and carry us further away from happiness rather than closer. As a result, we crave a deeper meaning and spiritual connection. Religion can be an essential guide for many, but in the wrong hands it also can be misused for deception, fraud, and manipulation.
Skeptics worry about how religion sometimes can be a tool of psychological passivation instead of true spiritual journey based upon free choice. For a skeptic such as myself, thinkers such as Williamson represent a kind of hope and also a threat at the same time.
She's a hope in as far as her philosophy can empower people to rise to a greater challenge of service and social contribution. She's a threat if people misunderstand the essential message as empowered privilege rather than empowered responsibility. The trick to happiness seems to be in the enjoyment of giving rather than of receiving.
Posted by: Levi's | January 10, 2020 at 08:30 PM
Yes..cz we are made to feel guilty if we outshine others... We hv to be either too humble or timid to the point of being insecured in our own light...cz some people wl try to tear us dwn if we outshine them. But as we...Me gts older n hopefully Wiser...i let myself shine to feel good abt myself..n hope I can maybe help others feel better.. cz life is always up n dwn...some days I feel dwn..n friends cheer me up..n somedays they feel bad..n I try to brighten up their day too...
Posted by: Thankful | January 10, 2020 at 09:07 PM
Very nice!
Posted by: Diver | January 10, 2020 at 09:10 PM
Thanks Anand for ths enlightening article on feeling Not Guilty when you know you did or present your best...what's so ironic are the people who try to control your shine..
Posted by: Pacific Islander | January 10, 2020 at 09:18 PM