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Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Speech of 1994, speaks of letting our light shine, and letting other people do the same. He states that as we are liberated from our own fears, others are liberated from theirs. Is this the domino affect? Do unto others’ the way you would want done unto you? Do we inspire others when we have fought the demons of our own soul? Is there a lightness to our step and an honesty to our smile that lets people know we’ve been working on ourselves for a long time?
A part of the speech is "…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…." What does that mean? Does it mean we have more responsibility when we contain the light, and the right, and the way? Must we spread the word and work for mankind? Is that our task? Our title, our job while on Earth?
He goes on to say, " We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You’re playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you…"
To me, this implies the need for strength and determination and focus and sincerity in our daily lives. Whatever talent we may have, we are responsible to use it to the best of our ability, to spread truth and humility and gratitude and respect and responsibility. If we know what those character traits mean, and we practice them, they why not help others on this journey through Earth? We are children of God, we should aspire to do great things while on this planet.
"…We were born to make manifest that glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone…."
If this glory of God is in everyone, then how could there be prejudice? How could some people feel they are better than others? Because they choose not to listen to their inner voice. It’s covered up by all the noise it hears from the wrong information coming in. Human beings, actually thinking they are better than another human being. It always boggled my mind. And then professing to believe in a Higher Power on top of it.
"…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 fears, our presence automatically liberates others…."
I would imagine the fears would need to be liberated before the light could really shine through. Liberation from fear could take years. What are we afraid of? We won’t be able to afford what we need to live: shelter, food, gas, car, clothes, extras? Some of us are afraid to drive, it’s too stressful. Some are afraid to go out, it’s too stressful. Some are afraid to have sex, too stressful. Some are afraid the values and beliefs they’ve always gone by might not be "the right way." Some are afraid they’ll lose their job. Some are afraid they’ll get a disease and suffer. Some are afraid of death. Many are afraid of life. Until these fears can be addressed and let go, our light can’t shine as brightly, and we won’t be able to touch as many people.
We need to be doing something to affect other people, even if it’s by e mail, or writing, or going to the grocery store. If we can spread enlightenment and happiness and brotherhood, among the people we meet everyday, we’ll be doing our job. Once our fears are removed, we can use that energy to add light to the world. And help other people remove their fears.
One of my biggest fears, is being in a car, or any type of moving vehicle. I am petrified of getting into an accident. I’ve been in many through the years, usually as a passenger, and I don’t want to be in any more. The other day, I was with my youngest child of three, driving for the very first time together, he had just gotten his permit. I had driven with my daughter, and I think, damaged our relationship, and with my middle son, and thought I’d go insane, and now with my third child, who was being very careful, as I knew he would be. I had the bright idea that if I was ever going to break my fear, I’d have to do the one thing I never would have thought of-I’d have to close my eyes for a few seconds, with my son driving the SUV that I love, for the first time in his life. I did, and I felt I overcame my fear of driving in a car. By doing so, I can transfer that energy to positive, good, altruistic energy. And I can then share that energy with others, or just let it emanate from my being as I walk through this life.
The more positive energy we put out, the more it is absorbed by others in the universe. A cardinal has the energy to make me feel good everytime I see one. My puppy has the energy to make me smile everytime he comes near me. My kids have the energy to make me love them when they are near. My partner has the energy to allow me to share mine. The sky, the stars, the light, the dark, the black, the white, the good, the bad. All part of life. Once we liberate ourselves from our fears, we can enjoy what life has to offer, and give back in gracious thanksgiving.
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