SouLessons

What Is Your Deepest Fear?

- Nancy D. Collins

Most people, who know me, know I'm intrigued by powerful statements, poetic runs, and words that promote thought. You know things spoken that make you go.. humm. A novice, nevertheless, I too on occasion have gone to some lengths to create this type of flow with the English language. Explosive expressions uttered that would force one to admit that the expressions heard are incredibly DEEP and has personal meaning to the listener as well as the creator.

The ability to string together words and phrases and tie them together in a playful knot or a heart felt bow is a powerful gift. To leave them hanging untouched can be equally as intriguing. It is a gift that has the ability to move people to express themselves in unbelievable ways. It is the heartbeat of change. Locked in the emotions of joy and pain, life and death, and hot and cold encounters. Matters of the heart displayed in songs, poetry, sermons, or just plain, simple conversation, these words have the ability to influence the least and greatest of people.

Let me take you on a journey for a minute to further illustrate my thought. Do you know why the caged bird sings? (Maya Angelou) Do you know why doves cry, or have you ever seen purple rain? (Prince) Are you aware of the hole in my sidewalk? (Portia Nelson) Do you know anyone who can turn gray skies blue? (Temptations) In a place it could never happen, it happened. (Nancy D. Collins) Do you want to be pitiful or powerful? (Joyce Meyers) Words, yes, powerful words that attack the mind, leading it to search out understanding.

Recently, I viewed the movie Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson for the third or fourth time. Personally I think the movie is a classic, filled with many life lessons. However for the first time I actually listened, heard and processed a compelling question Coach Carter posed to one of his troubled players, not once but several times during the movie. "What is your deepest fear?" This expression left several of his team members stumped, not knowing why the coach would ask this particular young man this question. By the end of the movie, through discovery and self-examination, the basketball player was able to respond to Coach Carter's question and articulate with a powerful string of words an answer to the question many of us may find trouble answering.

The last time I viewed the movie was a defining moment for me. "What is your deepest fear" became a resounding echo ringing in my every thought. I exchanged dialogue with friends and family, prompting them to think about this question. It even moved me to seek out the composer of this mini sermon, and to acknowledge the truth that's embedded within the words for all of us.

The credit for composing this wonderful piece has been given to several people. However some research leads us to place ownership at the feet of Marianne Williamson, author of Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. This is how it the excerpt reads:

"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 liberates from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Talk about powerful! This citation has great meaning for many. Our fear is not that we can't but rather, we can! I have taken this literary piece of art to heart and determined that I will not be afraid of success. I will not stand in the way of my own destiny! I will not belittle what God has placed within me, so others can feel better about themselves. I truly believe I am powerful beyond measure. I refuse to be blinded by my own light!

Special kudos goes to a woman who took the gift of words and painted a colorful revelation. Thank you Marianne Williamson.

Now, tell me.what is your deepest fear?