Never allow what you cannot do to interfere with what you can do. ~ John Wooden
Whenever I speak to a group about adversity and dreams, I try to communicate the principle of REALISTIC OPTIMISM. I use The 8000/2000 Principle as an illustration.
In a culture with so much opportunity, I wonder why we’re so obsessed with limitations. I suppose there are many reasons, but I think a big one is fear.
While doing some research for a presentation, I encountered this quote that offers an enlightening slant on the source of our fear.
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 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. ~ Nelson Mandela
God didn’t design us to hide in the darkness of fear. How would the world change if each individual acknowledged how much our abilities exceed our limitations?
How can you take a small step today to shine rather than shrink?
Related articles:
Developing Resilience: Optimism And The 8000/2000 Principle
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