Well readers, friends, family, whoever you are out there, it’s Friday — the weekend, a new beginning of sorts. Well, it certainly is for me.

This last month has been amazing for me, painful at times, but sincerely incredible. Nothing miraculous has happened. No out-of-the-ordinary events have transpired. But in many ways I feel like my eyes are being opened. For maybe the first time, I am truly recognizing that I am on a journey (as we all are) and I am finally taking the time to evaluate, consider, and experience the path. I am not steering it, manipulating it, as I previously have done. I am not resisting, fearful of the unknown or the agony of discomfort. I will not lie and say that I am necessarily passionately enjoying it, but I am peaceful. And I am listening.

I come to you, my unknown readers, this early evening at the start of a new beginning with peace, a peace that with it brings confidence. A confidence “to be foolish and conceal nothing”.

I have been inspired over these last few weeks, by music, art, natural beauty, but mostly by the souls of man, God’s masterpiece in creation. Many have contributed, most unknowingly. But there has been a common theme — one that seems to be coming from something larger than its messengers.

Think big. Persevere despite your fear of failure. Get out of your head. Accept yourself. Overcome adversity. Be confident. Do not apologize for your success.

My friend, Kendall, posted this on her blog earlier today. This poem, which I have copied here, is giving my soul permission to breathe. I want to shine, to manifest God’s glory. Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Well, I ask you — Who are you not to be?

Our Deepest Fear

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 we not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t 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 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.

- Marianne Williamson