Spiritual Reflection

“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'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.”

Marianne Williamson

A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992.

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This quote is inspiring to me because it reflects my own spiritual journey. It parallels the confidence I have to overcome adversity, to dream, and to succeed. This quote reflects inner courage which is real courage. It takes great courage, to believe in yourself and to succeed even when society and those around are sending you an alternative message. Often if you are not academic or do not fit a certain picture or ideal people are quick to think less of you, discriminate and bring you down. Indeed, their have been times where people have underestimated or thought less of me because I don't match the typical description of the ideal student or the asset of the college.

This is shown in the film, as the students are stereotyped as being "thugs" and future criminals. Nevertheless, the coach has faith in them and in this clip they prove themselves as being spiritual, ambitious, studious and hardworking despite what society considers them to be. They develop the inner courage to persevere and aim high regardless of the predetermined notion held by those around them, that they will fail. There have always been people who have perpetrated a fake facade of strength and courage however when the situation calls for it they do not have the true courage to confront and overcome the situation.

I have developed courage throughout my experiences and my own personal journey. For example, when I was a child and attending school in Greece, the teacher used to hit me with a piece of thick, long wood. Usually he hit me on the hand, however when ever I moved my hand, he alternatively hit my body or head. I used to get hit a lot more then the other kids, because I liked to misbehave. Consequently, the more he hit me the more I misbehaved and made his life difficult and made me more admired by my peers. As I have grown older, the determination I showed in class continues but is now informed by my own spiritual and ethical code and gives me true courage. The virtue of fortitude teaches us" to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions'. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defence of a just cause".

Fortitude gave me the courage to confront my fears of the teacher and culturual alienation I experienced in my childhood in Greece. I would stay up all night on the couch, refusing to go to bed, in order to prevent my self from sleeping as I was tormented by nightmeres. My mother says there was a time when I said to her "Mummy, tell me the truth, are we going back to Australia,or should I start walking back?" My mum was contemplating a move back to Canberra however these words gave her the courage and the fortitude to make the decision to move the family back to Canberra.

To me people are similar to falling stars, we were created to succeed and "manifest the glory of God that is within us". We are stars however because of our environment and our insecurities we begin to get off track and fall. We become afraid to dream, afraid to be confident, we become insecure, as emphasised by the lines "Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us". Once we embrace who we truly our, and let go of our fear only then can we realise and achieve our maxium potential. Only then can we truly follow Gods plan for us and be"liberated from our own fear" and consequently "liberates others.” The virtue of charity teaches us to come to the aid of our neighbour not only in terms of bodily necessity but also his spiritual needs. In such a way liberating myself from fear inspires others to do the same and can be read as a work of justice pleasing to God.

As the quote above says, There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. I have learnt to dream big and to stand by my convictions. While others say I am arrogant, I draw upon my inner strength and follow through with my dreams. I am determined to do well and to succeed, and for this success to be reflective of my spiritual and ethical beliefs.