Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas...

I hadn't planned on doing a holiday post, but...

I just spent several hours visiting all my favorite blogs. Yes, hours.
You folks have no idea how you lift me, inspire me, make me smile and cry.
Thank you all for that.

When I got to Valerie's blog, I lost it... big time.
I have tussled with religion, faith... all of that... my whole life.
But, that doesn't mean the words of those who believe are lost on me.

I want to share what she posted... words from Nelson Mandela...

Our worst 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 does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some of us, it is 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.





We all have lights to shine, don't we?
I want to thank all of you for shining yours on me.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

23 comments:

kdzu said...

You shine brightly. We appreciate the guiding light
Especially at this time of year.

Mandelas' words ring true. But we fear getting too close to the light for fear of burning. Sad, but true. We each need to move just a little closer to the warmth each day

Merry Christ mas Dear.

Anonymous said...

Fabu post, Jean. A most glorious Christmas to you!

Neoma said...

Merry Christmas jean, my blog friends are all in my thought this Holiday season. Wishing you the best, your friend, nea

Desert Cat said...

Merry Christmas!

boneman said...

Very nice sentiment, dear, and even historical, too. Well, I wish you a Merry Christmas, and I hope you find lots of goodies in yer shoe.
I know that's a bit European, pputting presents in folks' footwear. But, it's steeped in tradition...yeah, that's what they do there.

And on a more personal note, let me thank you for your Light.... your sharing it has taken the darkness away from my night.

Thankyou and
Merry Christmas.

alan said...

Merry Christmas Jean!

Rantin' Ron said...

Merry Christmas Jean. I loved the post. I must admit that Mandella was not somone who I would have EVER read but now...I think I must do so.

You are a true darlin' in this world.

Michelle and I wish you a Very Happy Christmas.

Take Care and may GOD bless you,

Ron

Jean said...

You are all gifts to me... thank you so much!

sparringK9 said...

/bark bark bark

nice post! right on mandela! fear holds us back......not in 2007 though!
Merry Christmas jean. i wish you every happiness! come by the yard and pick up your gift.

/grrrrr

none said...

Merry Christmas. Thank you for the nice comments. I lost many of my bookmarks and was able to find your blog again!

Valerie - Still Riding Forward said...

Thank you Jean, for passing it on yet again. It can't be said too often as far as I'm concerned!

May you find the joy in the days!

Jean said...

k9 - I loved your gift... thank you!


Hammer - glad to see you again!

Val - Joy to you!

curmudgeon said...

I hope you had a nice Christmas.
And thanks.

Jean said...

Curmudgeon - It was quiet but lovely.
Thank YOU, Dave.

Andrea said...

Wow, love what Mandela had to say. Guess I should study him more.

Thanks for sharing. I'll stop by more often.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Jean said...

Andrea - Merry Christmas to you!
Glad you came by.

Anonymous said...

... and a very Merry Christmas to you too, ma'am.... and all the best in the coming New Year...

Eric

Jean said...

Thank you, Eric... I think the New Year is going to be memorable... and good!

Anonymous said...

I loved what Mandela said. It really made me think. I have always dwelled on my faults not my good points. I always felt if I talked about my good points that people would knock me down. So I always kept quiet. This lady, Jean happens to be my sister. I have been inspired so much by reading what she writes. I never knew she had so much talent. I am so proud to have her as a sister and friend and confidante. She has helped me more than she knows. I love you! Ann

Jean said...

Anon - Lookie here... my lil sis!
Thanks, Oakley... I love you too!

k said...

That was wonderful. I had no idea Mandela thought that way.

He's right, you know.

Not that we don't fear the darkness as well. I don't think the two fears are mutually exclusive.

But the one, we're always aware of.

The other, the fear of the light, is what we don't seem to readily acknowledge. That alone renders it vastly more powerful.

Great post. Thank you for it.

Jean said...

k - Good to see you out and about again!

k said...

Jean, thank you! A bit tottery, but more and more periods of consciousness. I had no idea how very much I missed reading blogs. Oh, I was JONESING.

And didn't even know it.