Nelson Mandela | “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson | movie: Coach Carter
March 23, 2013 6 Comments
I just saw this film, a very empowering and heartening story Coach Carter, based on a true story about Ken Carter, a Richmond, CA basketball coach.
In it, I was re minded of one of my favorite quotes, which was a core part of the movie. I had been under the impression that it was a quote by Nelson Mandela – as had the people who made the movie and numerous people who have attributed this speech to Mandela. I’ve been corrected. “Our Deepest Fear” is a quote by Marianne Williamson; an American spiritual teacher, author and lecturer.
QUOTE BY MARIANNE WILLIAMSON – NOT – NELSON MANDELA
I am heartbroken to read that Nelson Mandela died yesterday at 95 years old. A leader who fought for what he believed in and exemplified integrity; someone who ‘means what he says and says what he means’.
Nelson Mandela dies at 95 former South African president
As Nelson Mandela said in his extraordinary speech in 2005 on London’s Trafalgar Square, “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his actions against apartheid, to emerge as South Africa’s leader, working to guide Africa’s largest economy through bloodshed and turmoil to democracy. The world mourns Mandela, a Giant for Justice
Mandela smiling
a “Giant for Justice”
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The quote isn’t from Mandela.
It was from the book “A Return to Love, written by Marianne Williamson.
In her own words “As honored as I would be had President Mandela quoted my words, indeed he did not. I have no idea where that story came from, but I am gratified that the paragraph has come to mean so much to so many people.”
Except Nelson Mandela didn’t write this or say it in his inaugural speech…
Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson
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’s 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’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
Note: This inspiring quote on our deepest fear is taken from Marianne Williamson’s inspiring book A Return to Love. Though often quoted as part of Nelson Mandela’s moving inaugural speech, “Our Deepest Fear” does not appear in the speech.
Thanks Zak. I hadn’t realized that, since I found it associated with Nelson Mandela. Since reading your response, I’ve updated my blog to give Marianne Williamson credit and to correct this.
Carol
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