Our deepest fear
Can we imagine deciding who we are and how to act? When we do, we open the doors of possibility. We invite our self-awareness wanting to be our best for ourselves and others. I am hoping to do that on this Substack.
Imagine teachers seeing themselves free to let their light shine. How would they be with their students, their parents, colleagues, supervisors, the public at large? They’ve been told they are at or near the bottom as professionals. They hear, “those who can’t do, teach.” But in their heart of hearts––and among many in the public––they know they are essential for the growth of children, for the strength of communities, and for the defense of democracy.
Williamson goes on to say, “Your playing small does not serve the world.” It does not serve anyone, not only for teachers but for all of us. We may feel under appreciated and be tempted to hunker down, stay under the radar, enticed to play small and stay safe inside our cocoon. But when we do not let our light shine we do not enable others, as Williamson says, “permission to do the same.” When we shrivel, we deny others from knowing who we are––knowing our love, our gifts, our wisdom.
We, when we think about it, want our light to shine. It frees us. As Williamson poignantly says, “As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” In these troubled times, our light illuminates the encroaching darkness.
