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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

IWSG: Fear

The first Wednesday of every month is IWSG, a bloghop hosted by the amazing Alex J. Cavenaugh to encourage and inspire each other and a safe place to admit our writing doubts.

On Sunday I listened to a General Conference address from a few years back as I drove in the car again (something I've gotten good at this past week-we've logged 40 hours so far). One line in the address stuck me deep. The speaker said that fear is the opposite of faith. I've never thought about fear that way. I realized I've been dwelling in fear more than I'd like to, and that I need to have more faith in many aspects of my life, my writing being one of them. So this month I'm sharing a poem that was given to me the summer before college. It has always helped me to believe more in myself, to push forward, and move out of fear. Perhaps it will do the same for you.


Our Deepest Fear
By 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.
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's 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're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.


Until next month...

18 comments:

  1. Wonderful post Robin.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Great post! Inspiring for sure!

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  3. Interesting idea. Though what about 'the first shall be last and the last first'? Qualities of humility, self-doubt and lack or pride seem to conflict with that all important confidence and determination that a writer so desperately needs to succeed. I guess what you are saying though is that one should glory in their God-given talents and not be afraid of them. Very true.

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  4. Perfect love casts out fear! That's one of my favorite bible quotes. Great post Robin- and good for you listening to an address in the car instead of the norm. You are driving and learning at the same time!

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  5. I never thought of fear this way. And love the poem.

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  6. I adored this!! It's just what I needed to read. Thank you so very much.

    Elsie

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  7. i love that. I'm copying and printing and hanging over my desk right now. Thanks for the reminder!! :D

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  8. Awesome, Robin. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. That the glory of God that is in us is powerful beyond our imagination - yes, I can see that being our real fear. Thanks for sharing the poem.

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  10. Great poem! It reminds me of our lesson in Relief Society yesterday. Thanks, Robin!

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  11. This quote always makes me feel powerful and strong-- which is something I needed today! Thanks for this, Robin.

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  12. Yes---I LOVE that general conference talk. SO good. I probably should read it every day. And the poem was beautiful. I love inspiration like this. <3

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  13. I LOVE that talk!! And fabulous poem! Conference is always good for a pick-me-up :)

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, with Joy)

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  14. Many of the lines in the MW quote could be writing prompts. A generous post.

    Gratefully,
    Diane

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  15. I love that poem! Thanks for sharing it. I need it, as do we all. Grazie!

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  16. Great post. Fear and I have occasional run ins. The showdown is always fun to watch. :)

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  17. This is definitely one of my favorite poems of all time. Thanks for sharing and encouraging us. :-)

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