Beauty

St Kilda Beach , Melbourne, Australia, photo by Primo

a view from the terrace of the house on top of the hill photo by orange tulip

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 frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' 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 people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when 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.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

I am not necessarily brilliant and famous but i have always believed(or at least that's how people who loved me made me believe) that i am gorgeous and talented. Moreover, it does not bother me if some have been insecure having me around. Early in life i have been taught that i was born to give joy to my parents, my kins and to the people around me who can appreciate the beauty of my existence. I have also relished the idea to let my light shine brightly so as to encourage others to shine on their own too. And i have been fearless in expressing myself, including my own fears since i discovered that doing - has always liberated me. I may sound odd to a few but i realised that in some ways i have made some smile or laugh. And in making them happy in my own simple ways, i have realised that it makes me happy too. In return, through their simple and quiet ways - a sweet or shy smile, a cheerful hello, reassuring kiss or a soulful hug, an encouraging word or lavish praise from family, friends, workmates, loved ones and even strangers- i have realised that these can make me happy too.

And in agreement with Nelson Mandela I reckon that this is the beauty of life- being born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me and you. And i am in the working progress, for such.