Mandela

Quote from Nelson Mandela, 1994

“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 are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. All of us. And as we let our 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.”

A friend said that before Mandela went to jail, he was this “fireball” of energy and ideas and change. He was a bright light in a dark world. Then he was tested and vanquished and taken to jail for his bold words. When Mandela came back to the free world from jail, he exuded a much quieter confidence, a mettle tested strength. He sometimes felt doubtful or scared but he knew he had to be confident for others because they so believed in him. Sometimes we shine our lights not to exalt ourselves and to show we are better, but to help others see their own light. Those people are the leaders. Shine on.

A few more mantras than inspire:

There are two types of people in the world: Those who conform themselves to fit into the world, and those who change the world to suit them. Be the latter. The latter are those that make a difference and make the world better.

Be the change that you want to see in the world.

It’s not live like you are dying, it’s live like you can change the world. That will push you to act with purpose and to act quickly. To not waste time. You can all change the world.

Don't be afraid to take your gifts and strength and light and shine as brightly as you can. Be prideful and proud, nurture ego, ooze confidence. We are born loving ourselves first and are then taught to suppress that desire our whole lives. All of our religions want us to bow our heads and know our place and mind our manners and put others first. To make ourselves small so our faceless God can be larger than life. I want you to be larger than life. YOU. I want to see all your glory and bask in your light. You cannot be too proud for me.

Cut the selfless martyr crap and bring ego back where it belongs. First and foremost.