This Little Light of Mine...

“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 most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' 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 people won't feel insecure around you. 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 all of us. And when 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

   It all begins and ends with identity. Who am I? What is my purpose? To whom do I belong? For most of us these are difficult and sometimes scary questions to grapple with. Yet, until we can answer them we are left to be defined by others. We drift according to the ebb and flow of our environment. However when we are willing to do the work; look inside; and answer these questions, we open ourselves up and become the light of the world for those around us.

   Often times a leader’s most important decisions come in the heat of the moment. Whether it is during a game, in the classroom, at home, or hanging out with our friends, there will be unexpected situations where immediate choices need to be made. We can’t possibly hope to know all the questions, but when we know who we are, we have all the answers. Things like peer pressure don’t stand a chance against the pressure of our own values.

   When others see your conviction through your actions they will follow. When you hold yourself accountable to a greater purpose your direction becomes clear. When you embrace your light, you become a beacon through which others can find their way out of the darkness. 

As is stated in the beginning of the Gospel of John:

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

...LET IT SHINE!!