“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine……Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.”
The words of the the old Sunday school children’s song applies as much in my adult world, as it did in my childhood one. When I was 8 I thought it meant share your faith by doing good works. Now, at 58, I realize it means so much more. Once again my writing journey educates and enlightens me.
I am one to applaud and marvel at the accomplishments and light others shed on the world. People who step up, have confidence, contribute and make a difference, inspire me, but sometimes I think “Who am I thinking I could write a book and make a difference with it?” I make the mistake of thinking I’m being humble, when in reality I’m being small. People who inspire me, do so in a large way. If I continue to be small, and keep my light under a bushel basket, what happens to those who spend time around me? This morning I came across a quote by Marianne Williamson that has me repeating all day long “Don’t be small”.
“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 more unenlightening about shrinking so other people won’t feel unsure 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. 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 just begun speaking about the things I’d like to accomplish with my writing. For a long time I was too timid to say much about it. When I first started this blog I was scared to publish it on Facebook. Since I’ve overcome my fear and put both out there, doors have opened and I’ve made many friends who want to do some of the things I do. I love helping people start blogs and encourage them to begin their own writing journey. In turn people are stepping in and helping me with my book project. I now find myself part of a wonderful writing community.
But what if I kept my hopes, dreams, and goals under that bushel basket? I would never have come this far without the help of others and others might have not had the courage or inspiration to begin work on their own dreams if had continued to be small.
God wants us to take pride in the gifts He blessed us with. He wants us to use them to the best of our ability. He wants us to share and have give and take with others. Once again I’m drawn back to Eccl 1:7:
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love, and self-discipline.”
And so, as another day goes by, we need to shine as bright as the Boston skyline outside my window tonight, and…I have written.
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