*This was sent to me via email. I think a portion of it was also mentioned in the movie, Akeelah and the Bee (which by the way should be a must see for every educator!). I'm not sure of the original author, but it is a powerful statement!



Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, 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; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

--Author Unknown