Dreams and Fear

I went to a spiritual retreat last weekend. A friend of mine conducts these several times a year and I try to go at least once a year. I don’t know why I don’t go more often, because I always come away from her gatherings feeling closer to God and believing in myself more than ever before.

I would like to share a poem that my friend passed out at this retreat. The poem is written by Marianne Williamson:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It’s our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

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. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other 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 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.

I’ve had to read this so many times since the retreat. It seems that every time I do, one verse is more important to me than when I read it the time before.

How many times have we each dreamed of things we could do, only to never do them? Why is it that we dream it, we talk about it, but we don’t do it? I guess because there is some comfort in the familiar that we are afraid to go out on a limb.

But, until we all strive to be the best we can be, only then can we truly begin to inspire someone. When you are happy, truly happy, others see it. A smile can be one of the most infectious things I’ve ever encountered.

I believe that we’re each meant to become our best self. It is only then that we can influence others to attain their happiness. The ability is in each of us and we know it. For how many times have you yourself said “if she/he can do it, then so can I!!!”

Persevere in your dreams and in your path to happiness. You may touch someone without even trying to or realizing it.

This is why I think so many people have been influenced by Taylor Hicks—people he may not have met or may never even meet. I’ve heard so many stories of people who “came alive” because of Taylor. His music awakened something in all of us. He kept on and on in search of his dream—once he found it, his inspiration became boundless, touching and influencing one soul after another.

I hope you carry this thought with you and my wish for each of you is that you never give up on your dream!!! Who knows who all you each have the ability to inspire because you strive to be the best person you can!

Written by Leslie (Lmo4Taylor1)

Tags: Taylor Hicks, American Idol, Soul Patrol, Taylor's Angels