Some pain is simply the normal grief of human existence. That is pain that I try to make room for. I honor my grief.
Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote encourages individuals to embrace their full potential and greatness instead of playing it safe or small.
Marianne Williamson's quote challenges the common tendency to downplay one's abilities and contributions. By stating that playing small does not serve the world, she highlights the importance of recognizing and utilizing our unique talents and strengths for the greater good. The rhetorical question, 'Who are you not to be great?' urges people to question self-imposed limitations and realize that they have the right to strive for greatness, not only for themselves but also for the benefit of others.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to encourage students to pursue their dreams.
More from Marianne Williamson
All quotes βAs we become purer channels for God's light, we develop an appetite for the sweetness that is possible in this world. A miracle worker is not geared toward fighting the world that is, but toward creating the world that could be.
Governments move armies, but only individuals can move hearts.
The world is in trouble. Many have prayed. God sent help. God sent you.
Once we truly understand that God's will is that we be happy, we no longer feel the need to ask for anything other than that God's will be done.
A queen is wise. She has earned her serenity, not having had it bestowed on her but having passer her tests. She has suffered and grown more beautiful because of it. She has proved she can hold her kingdom together. She has become its vision. She cares deeply about something bigger than herself. She rules with authentic power.
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In addition to self-awareness, imagination and conscience, it is the fourth human endowment - independent will - that really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to act rather than to be acted upon, to proactively carry out the program we have developed through the other three endowments. Empowerment comes from learning how to use this great endowment in the decisions we make every day.
The demands of excellent NFL quarterbacking I always said took every piece of me, emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. It was like it just took it all, and I think that was what was so energizing about it and unreplicable.
The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.
When you devote yourself to achieving your goal, you will not be bothered by shallow criticism. Nothing important can be accomplished if you allow yourself to be swayed by some trifling matter, always looking over your shoulder and wondering what others are saying or thinking. The key to achievement is to move forward along your chosen path with firm determination.
I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.
Let us suppose you become a craneman. Suppose you become a clerk in a lawyer's office. Give the best that is in you. Let nothing stand in the way of your going on.