Free Inspiration: Entertainment

Our Deepest Fear

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 doesn't serve the world

There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that others won't feel unsure around you

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us

It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone

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

Nelson Mandela's Inaugural Speech, written by Marianne Williamson

The Star Thrower

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He was a very special person because he combined the best of two cultures. He was a scientist and a poet. And from these two perspectives he wrote insightfully and beautifully about the world and our role in it.

He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man, and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out "What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied "Throwing starfish in the ocean" "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die" "But, young man, don't you realise that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves. "It made a difference for that one" His response upset the wise man. He didn't know how to reply. So, instead he turned away and walked back to his cottage to begin his writing.

All day long as he wrote, the image of that young man haunted him. He tried to ignore it, but the vision persisted. Finally, late that night he realised that he the scientist, he the poet, had missed the essential nature of the young man's actions.

When morning came, he awoke knowing he had to do something. So he got up, dressed, went to the beach and found the young man. And, together, they spent the rest of the morning throwing starfish in the ocean.

You see, what that young man's actions represent is something that is special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can, like the young man, become aware of our gift, we gain the power to shape the future.That is your challenge. That is my challenge. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, I have no question that the 21st Century is going to be a wonderful place!