Live your life intentionally

“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 am I not to be? You are a child of God. If you are playing small, that 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 manifest the glory of God within us. It is in everyone. And as we let our lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. When we are liberated from our fear, our very presence automatically liberates others. – Nelson Mandella

In my last entry I used a quote from C.S. Lewis to help exemplify how fear will keep us from actually living and loving in life. Nelson Mandella seems to know what Lewis knew and that is that fear is the biggest form of bondage. We live in a society where are all we are suppose to feel is only one thing and that is “happy” and as children many of us learned to be quiet about our being happy. However, we also live in a culture that is fear driven.

Turn on any radio, television, pick-up a newspaper or turn on your computer and connect to a search engine and you will soon have more than enough to be afraid of; from multiple types of crimes to the newest measure of what it is to be a “success”. There is no shortage of things to be afraid of and yet we still continue to move forward facing some of these fears; even if this is not in our consciousness. The majority of people have not identified cultural fears; let alone what fear or fears attempt to paralyze them in their own life. Also, many people live in bondage and do not even know they are the bound up by fear.

I encourage you to be very intentional about living your life. Take some time to identify what if any fears have you may have that could be keeping from being connected and present in your own life. It is highly important to identify and then challenge those things that attempt to keep you from living life.

Finally, I do realize and want to state that to get connected and active in your life risk is involved, but don’t be afraid of risk, just learn to approach each risk wisely. Be sure to know how much risk you are willing to take and know what your limits are. Like anything new, take small, manageable steps/risks until you feel more practiced at taking risk and dealing with success or disappointment.