“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’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. 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.”

-Nelson Mandela

I first saw this speech quoted a few days ago and it was truly inspiring. What can we all truly aspire to when we choose to ignore the negative thoughts another person may have about our successes? Get out of your box, stay inside law and ethics, and go out and do something amazing; what you do may yet inspire someone else to take hold of their own potential. We are all going to have bad days but, remember, that’s just called “how it is.” So, whether it be in cheer, the workplace, school or anything else, we can all do something significant. Play big and serve God so that you can leave a legacy of your own design in this world.

Thoughts???

-Mike Sims