August 6, 2011
In yesterday’s blog, I referred to my favourite quote, which was written by Marianne Williamson. When I consider this quote, I realize how well it relates to how we view ourselves in today’s world.
When I was a child, we were discouraged to stand out, to shine above anyone else. We were asked, “Who do you think you are, anyway?” By adopting mediocre behaviours, we maintained the status quo of the society around us.
The role of artists, writers, actors, musicians, and other performers fell only to those that obviously had special talents, bestowed upon them by birth. As for the rest of us, we were “just average.” We did not have the right to think that others would be interested in what we had to share.
Marianne’s words challenge us to reconsider this attitude: “We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
I rejoice in seeing this attitude surfacing in today’s world. Young adults have a confidence about them today that I never had when I was their age. They accept that they have skills, abilities, and talents. They take it for granted that others are interested in what they have to share.
We see this attitude dominating the Internet. Blogs, You Tube videos, DeviantArt, Photobucket, Fanfiction.net, and other sites allow everyone the opportunity to display their talents and share their thoughts. These sites thrive because the users assume that others are interested in what they have to say. The users assume that others are interested in enjoying their talents.
And this assumption is correct. The evidence is obvious in the comments that viewers make. The viewers in turn assume that their comments are important and worthy of sharing. And so the cycle continues. With individuals sharing their talents and thoughts with strangers and friends alike.
This constant sharing of talents and thoughts reinforces what Marianne says in my favourite quote: “We are all meant to shine, as children do…It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.”
Everyone has something to contribute. And, as we share our talents, we develop our talents even more. We become better at what we are sharing, whether that be music, art, photography, writing, or other creative works. The talents that are shared through the various Internet sites, such as DeviantArt and Fanfiction.net, show very clearly that far more people than we ever thought are quite talented and worthy of admiration. Many of these individuals are not professionals in their fields. They are not published authors, or celebrated artists, or famous photographers. They are “just average.” They are you and I.
Because we are willing to share our talents, to invite others to enjoy what we have to offer, we open up the door for others to also share with us. As Marianne continues in her quote: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Knowing that blogging is acceptable and wide spread inspired me to start my own blog. As I heard about the many types of bloggers on the Internet, I was able to give myself permission to participate. As I read other people’s blogs, I was able to accept that others would be interested in what I had to say. I hope that through my blogs, I also inspire others to share their talents. I hope that I inspire others to accept the importance of their place in today’s world.
Following is the full text of my favourite quote by Marianne Williamson, as written in her book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”:
“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, 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 all meant to shine, as children do. We are 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’s book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” was published by HarperCollins in 1992.
Ms. Martha Urquhart 