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January 05, 2006
Great quote for the new year...
Rob Ryder, in my network, just emailed me a reminder me of this great quote, very appropriate to new beginnings for ourselves...
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 is nothing enlightened about shrinking so 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 un-consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we feel liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.--Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech, written by Marianne Williamson.
Posted by David at January 5, 2006 11:25 AM
Comments
I have had this one posted in my cubicle for about 15 months now (I am slightly bummed to learn the further attribution, my copy only had Nelson Mandela's name and somehow it was a bit more groovy when I thought he had composed it himself, while held prisoner by the former regime)
My other favorite, from my own wall:
"the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decisions, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
- Goethe.
Nothing like a little talk about self-empowerment to get a person moving on a dreary January day.
Best regards!
Posted by: Dana at January 5, 2006 12:25 PM
I have two quotes on my office wall. One is from Helen Keller:
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
The other is from a housekeeper in an all-inclusive resort in St Lucia. I was packing and in a hurry and absent-mindedly said that I didn't even know what I was doing. She said:
When you are doing something, you should know what you are doing.
Posted by: Lisa at January 5, 2006 02:07 PM
This quote is often found on the internet but it is not in Mandela's inauguration speech. However inspiring or beautiful. I am fascinated by how it came about but I haven't been able to find out. The text of the inauguration speech can be found at: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1994/inaugpta.html
Still, I do have the text posted on my wall, next to my computer screen.
Regards, Sanne
Posted by: Sanne Roemen at January 6, 2006 01:12 AM
If you Google around you will find that not only did Nelson Mandela not compose it he has never used it in a speech. See for example
http://www.3rdearmusic.com/forum/forumaug02/madibaquote.html
quoting someone who reviewed all Mandela's speeches and even contacted the ANC who confirmed it is not something he ever said!
Michael
Posted by: Michael Murray at January 7, 2006 11:59 PM
I don't have any comments posted in my office but I love the quote by Goethe that Dana posted. You made my day, Dana.
Posted by: Dave Berndt at January 11, 2006 05:03 AM
And you just made mine, in return, Dave.
got another (shorter) good one:
The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. - Ivy Baker Priest
---Dana
Posted by: Dana at January 11, 2006 08:34 AM
