Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Never, Never, Never Give Up

I'd like to share an earlier post I published when I was a new blogger. I hope the 3 or 4 people who were reading my blog in May don't mind a "repost". :)

Every year we see at least one new breed of bird in the Shady Grove. Here is the latest to show up at our bird sanctuary, a red headed woodpecker.

I'd like to share something with you in hopes it will encourage you to unleash your creativity and share it with others. In my life I've met many people that tell me they can't do something because it's too hard or challenging. Along time ago I learned that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. It may not be perfect or beautiful the first time but each succesive time I work at it I refine my skills.

This is one of my favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson. It reminds me to keep reaching for the lightness in myself and to share it with others in hopes they will pass their own light on.

"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.”

I challenge you to be all that you are meant to be, share it, and never, never, never give up.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow... I read something very similar in a book a couple years ago. May have been "The Story We Find Ourselves In". The author spoke about each of us having our own "little glory" because we are made in His image.

I really needed this reminder today. What timing!

bindu said...

Very inspiring quote. Thanks for sharing. Lovely little woodpecker!

Gwen Buchanan said...

So important to think of it in this way.. Very inspiring to just let yourself go!!!

Shar said...

Thank you for sharing the lovely quote.

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Thank you so much for reprinting this post because I needed to read it! Thanks for sharing. I so agree with you but you know what I find funny. Is sometimes when you are "letting your light shine" there are people that tell you that you can't do this or that, that you're not famous or haven't the business acumen (sp?) to do what you want to do - and I wonder who are they to say that? I had an experience that really dampened my creativity a few years ago and through constant support of friends and family, and now blogging, I can see that it is okay to let that light shine and wherever it takes me is where I am to be. If that means only just down the road, well that's okay. And if it means that success comes to those who wait, well, I am ready for it. Thanks for posting. Your comment connected with some thoughts that have been running through my mind lately. Much appreciated!!

ArtPropelled said...

What an unusual looking bird. Our woodpeckers are mottley browns with the red crest.

Timaree said...

That is a good saying. And maybe my light doesn't shine quite as brightly as someone elses. That's still no reason to turn it off. We each have to do the best we can. My grandson was just in a 3 mile race for highschool track. A part of the race was a very steep hill. He could run it but others stopped to walk. As my grandson passed each walker he encouraged them to give it a try - they could do it. I thought that was so neat. That's the kind of competition we should be having, not the cut-throat type where parents beat up the coaches type. We're in this life together and if we help each other to shine brightly earth will look like God's light itself.
Getting off my soapbox now!