“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 were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it is 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 1994, Inaugural Speech

This is absolutely one of my favourite quotes. What are your talents? What do you have an amazing ability for, but are hiding from the world? Who are you not to be “brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be?”

Starting something new is always scary. Sharing with people can be hard, especially when you have kept your gift or ideas a secret for so long. Don’t be afraid of what people will think, people will always have opinions. “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.” Share your talents with the world! What good is a talent if it is not used? By sharing what you love, or what you’re good at, or passionate about, you will inspire others and give them the confidence to do the same.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” People are afraid of failing. But generally the thing that really holds people back from starting, is a fear of success. Stop being afraid, stop thinking “what if”. Imagine if all the musicians and singers there have ever been, were too afraid to share their talents. Imagine a world with no music. No concerts and no ipod’s. No background music in cafe’s, movies, weddings. No instruments readily available to buy or learn. No songs to sing along to.  By sharing your talents, you encourage others to do the same. You give hope, lift people higher, allow people to shine their own light on the world.

What a beautiful sound it is when we bring all our talents together. When we weave our own music into the rhythmic heart beat of this world. What a bright world we would have, if we all let our light shine.