It’s a nice thought, but…

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

 

Marianne Williamson

 

Ever had one of those moments, where you hear something really inspirational, and all around you, people are smiling and nodding, and agreeing… and in your heart, you really want to smile and nod and agree too… but there’s that quiet voice that whispers those five deadly words…

 

“ It’s a nice thought, but…”

 

It’s a nice thought, but. But it’s illogical. But it’s impossible. But it’s untrue.

In all my heart, I want to believe that my deepest fear is my power. With all my strength, I try and convince myself that it’s true. I’ll preach it and teach it until the ninety-nine people I’ve told believe it, and are the ones smiling and nodding and telling others.

 

But.

 

I’m not Marianne Williamson. And so telling me that I fear my own power doesn’t make sense.

 

Because. It’s a nice thought, but… my deepest fear is my inadequacy.

 

You can tell me I’m wrong. You can tell me that I’m not supposed to feel that way. You can tell me that I am powerful beyond measure.

 

But that doesn’t change the facts.

 

Because I feel what I feel, and nothing you can say will change that. You can inspire me with brilliant speeches. You can touch me with acts of kindness. You can show me what I’m capable of. But in the end, it’s up to me.

 

Because who I am is who I am.

 

And sometimes, the best thing you can do for me, is not try and change my mind.

 

But rather, simply acknowledge my feelings as being valid. And do nothing else.

 

And who knows? Maybe one day, I will be standing in front of you, saying

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

 

And all around you, people will be smiling and nodding and agreeing. But those five words creep into your mind…

 

“ It’s a nice thought, but…”

But that’s just not the way life is.

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