Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves; Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Akeela [quoting Marianne Williamson]

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. 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. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Timo Cruz

It is pretty ironic that our deepest fears are not the dark nights, death or any other form of phobia we have become accustomed to; our greatest fears are the very make-up of our personalities. It would not be that ironic if you think of it this way; we often see some of our strengths as weaknesses mostly because of how such traits are viewed by the society. Quite a lot of people are scared of being who they really are because of what they believe people will say about them or how people will feel about them.

You care a lot, they say you care too much, you don’t care too much, they say you are too carefree; you are very compassionate, they ask how it is your problem, you are not so compassionate, they say you are heartless. It just makes you feel like yelling; what exactly do they want from me??? These are just a few out of many examples which show that regardless of the personality you try to portray, it doesn’t just go down well with everyone. Someone will just find something wrong with it.

Often times our greatest fears have been being the best of our true selves. I always knew I was soft and could be really emotional and often times I hated myself for that. I always thought I cared too much and nobody cared how I felt. Some even criticized me for this and I would always feel terrible. I was also pretty good at finding faults in virtually everything no matter how good which made me always reluctant to be honest in my opinion about certain things. Whatever your opinion might be about this, I recently started to see strength in these. Not focusing on the bad sides but seeing good in them. I realized that by maximizing my strengths, I was unconsciously helping people to be better. I don’t need everyone to be pleased; I just need to be able to reach out to those who really need what I have to give. The fact that I care makes it easy for people to talk to me and helps me to be a better friend; while the critical part of me (when not pushed to the extreme) often tends to bring about better results which even I never thought of when pointing out the wrongs. I agree that it ought to be balanced and extremes are never safe and I am not advocating for extremists; rather I am advocating for maximization of your personality strengths. I am advocating for being the best you there can be.

I am asking you not to be scared of yourself, or hate yourself because of people’s opinions about your personality; I am asking you not to try to be someone else; I am asking you to stop running from yourself. You might be surprised how many people want to be like you.

What makes you happy? What gives you fulfillment? Therein lies your strength and your true self. No need to be someone else when you can be the best and only you there is.

Also, in being you, you are helping someone else discover himself/herself.

You Are Never Alone.

N.B: DeAltar will be 1 tomorrow (12th October, 2016). If this cause has been a blessing to you and has impacted your life in one way or the other, we will like to hear from you. Fill our feedback form here. Your comments and suggestions will help us improve.