'pause and reflect'

gentle reader,

the last few months have seen intense reading and writing (both on the blog and within), and i thank you for accompanying me through this journey and indispensably helping me grow with your comments, thoughts, and prayers. it is now time to 'pause and reflect' (as my cherished bench near the campanile says to do :), and this means i must take your leave to write less and internalize more. a while ago, i had been less convinced, but i now pray to be continually tested, that i may strengthen the ability to practice as i (would like to) preach ;). my four-point mantra remains: openness, strength, acceptance, and surrender.

see you soon :).

p.s. wish me luck and pray for my success, yes?

the power of self

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 does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
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.
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.
- Marianne Williamson