“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 are all meant to shine, as children do. 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 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.” 

The above quote is by Marianne Williamson (from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles).

     It has been about two years now since Samuel L. Jackson reprised the role of Coach Ken Carter in the movie about the true life story of “a controversial high school basketball coach, who received both high praise and staunch criticism when he made national news in 1999 for benching his entire undefeated basketball team for poor academic performance.”

I had heard and read so many critical acclaims about this movie so when I saw it on the schedule a few weeks ago, I decided to watch it. Throughout the inspirational movie, Coach Carter had various nuggets to share with the boys on his team and he freely gave most of these inspiring messages to them as they trained, failed, fell, rose, won, and went through all the different motions that most young men their age were going through in the environment they found themselves in.

What stood out for me however was his question to Timo, one of the troubled students on his team. On more than one occasion, Coach Carter asked Timo: “what’s your deepest fear?” When Timo finally gave Coach Carter the answer to his question, it was a classic statement, which I believe is relevant for all time. This statement is so strong it has been credited to Nelson Mandela as being part of his 1994 inauguration speech but it is actually a statement made by Marianne Williamson.

What’s my deepest fear? What’s your deepest fear? What’s our deepest fear? As you take a moment to review those questions and eventually find an answer that fits your story, remember that fear is contagious, but also remember that so is faith, courage, and strength. This nugget will always be before me. It is an all-time truth and the excerpt for today is simply that: “My playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around me. As I am liberated from my own fear, my presence automatically liberates others.”

Thank you, Marianne, for those beautiful words and what they inspire in people who find virtue in them.

 The author can be reached at jumokegiwa@igilandi.org

Robot  Villager

# 1 “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequat...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 08.03.2007 14:06

Idi-ogi  Villager

# 2 Thank you for this encouraging article. Fear indeed is a disease, a cancer, a dream-robber, a vision -sucker, a goal-thief, an ambition-hypnotic and a desire-killer. Sometimes, in the absence of any real fear, we imagine one and call it "fear of the unknown". If you don't know what it is, why be paralysed by it? Unfortunately as we all get older, we accumulate negative experiences that make it easier to fear and worry and difficult to dream big. May we not be like the begger in London who was found dead at home with more than a million pounds in various denominations scattered throughout his home. He had continued to live a wretched life when he could afford more. He started with no vision and means; he died with means but no vision. Posted by Idi-ogi| 08.03.2007 15:14

ula-lisa  Villager

# 3 Great writing: So lil sis, what are you doing about it? What is the plan? Posted by ula-lisa| 08.03.2007 16:47

jumi  Villager

# 4 Thanks for this very inspiring write up. It's wonderful to read it just before going out to face my day. I thought about what my own deepest fear is. I found my answer in a quote that always echoes in my head. It's a statement made by William Wallace the amazing Scottish legend whose character was played by Mel Gibson in that 1995 five time academy award winning movie titled BRAVE HEART. At the verge of risking his life for his nation, Wallace told one of his soldiers/friends that: "All men die, but not all men live". My deepest fear is to wake up very old one day to find out that I was soon going to die yet I never really lived! I pray that won't happen. I'm 'living' to ensure it won't happen. Posted by jumi| 09.03.2007 03:46

Oluwato  Villager

# 5 Nice write-up Jumi. I conquered my deepest fear years ago. It was not pleasing God with my life and going to hell. Jesus Christ helped me conquer that. What I'm working on is getting enough sleep at night. With two little ones, that can be a challenge. But I'll conquer that too. Posted by Oluwato| 10.03.2007 00:45