“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.”
― Marianne Williamson

I could feel the bright sun on my head, hear the waves breaking on the sand, and taste the salty sea air. This past Sunday while my wonderful sister helped me with the almost impossible job of putting my wet suit on, I prepared myself to try surfing for the very first time. No vision, no problem. Poor hearing, no problem. Weak ankles, no problem.

Scared, nervous, excited – yes to all three. I had no idea what to expect but knew that I would be surrounded by a team of competent swimmers who wouldn’t let me get hurt. I also knew that I was a good swimmer. It was knowing this, along with the encouragement of numerous supporters that finally got me into the wet suit, settled my nerves, and put a smile on my face as I approached the water. From the moment I got onto the board, I felt powerful and somehow knew I could do it.

Throughout my life I have struggled with imperfections and a huge lack of feeling powerful. The messages along the way often reminding me that I’m disabled and just not good enough, leaving me feel more weak than powerful. Perhaps the loudest voice of all on life’s journey has been my own, dwelling on these imperfections rather than on the promise and wonder that life would hold. But I wonder, as Marianne Williamson says in the quote above, if this could all be more a fear of the fabulous and powerful person I could become?

My friends, do you feel “powerful beyond measure”, or are you shrinking from the brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous person you were created to be? What is it that is holding you back? What is it that’s keeping you from truly saying and believing that you are wonderful and powerful?

Whatever it may be, I want to tell you that you are wonderful and powerful beyond measure, and that your life matters. Be inspired with this knowledge knowing that the best is yet to come!