Monday, September 18, 2006
NO EXCUSES
| F O O D F O R T H O U G H T |  |
| Subscribe Unsubscribe Change E-mail View Archive NO EXCUSES By C. Elijah Bronner Sep 18, 2006 |
- even if the circumstances justify these emotions ---
consider the inspiring words of a man who, after 27 years of
imprisonment by his government, had every right to be bitter,
resentful and angry:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
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 is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that
other people won't feel insecure around you.
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."
These are words of Nelson Mandela, who gave this inaugural
speech in 1994, after being elected President of South Africa.
He became the leader of the government that had for so long
sought to take away his voice.
This man had every right to be bitter, resentful and angry at
the world.
How dare he inspire us to greatness? Shouldn't he have instead
approved our sloth?
After all, is anyone really appreciated for what he does,
regardless of the extent of the sacrifice?
Nelson Mandela confirms that you are expected to be great.
Nothing less.
You can even be more than great if you decide to ignore the
non-existent limitations that everyone else can see.
What kind of glasses are they wearing?
I know I'm gorgeous, brilliant and talented.
Simply put, I am fabulous.
What about you?
~(With credit to Nelson Mandela)~
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself." (Prayer of Augustine, 354- 430)
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