"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. 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. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." The quote is from Marianne Williamson: "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles"
I'm sure many people have either thought, or been told that 'we are our own greatest enemy' or that we are our own greatest critic. I, myself, feel the self-inflicted oppressive nature of these sentiments. Whilst society and our own immediate surrounding seems to suppress our individual capabilities towards accomplishment, it is each individual that provides the impenetrable barriers that prevent the vast majority of our accomplishments. One of the greatest misunderstandings of accomplishment is that the reward must be immediate. We are taught that to be heralded we must become larger than life and that only then are our actions worthy of our efforts. This is an illusion; such instances are fleeting and without the sustenance that will be regarded with equal fortitude through the trials of time. My best example of such pursuits that counter this expectation of Leonardo DiVinci. His true greatness was only acknowledged after his passing, and are still the subject of great thought and contemplation. His greatness superseded those individuals and beliefs of his own time.
Another barrier that is a too common practice in modern society is that of how those who do achieve conduct themselves amongst those who's achievements are yet unrealized or not those that are regarded by those around them to be worthy of respect. World society, in general is very weak minded; to a greater extent, this is the result of what I call the 'great experiment' of modern social sciences. Other examples of such weakness can be witnessed in the "herd mentality" of many societies, the suppression of individual thought through religious, political, or cultural controls, and the most common is that of interpersonal interactions where it is common-place for one individual to target other individuals or groups to "put them down" or demonize them to create a self-delusional perception of superiority. Each of these things can be overcome in one way or another; virtues can be hindered but will never be contained, and when set free it is such that humankind takes monumental leaps in our social evolution.
Such as are the roadblocks that cause the digression of modern society, each individual has the true power over their own thoughts and actions. What one does with that capability is up to every individual—granted, there are barriers that limit the method or acceptance of such actions, but all will be judged through the trials of time. The real question is whether the cumulative actions of each individual will contribute to society as a whole, or will we continue to advance towards the path of our own destruction. It is unfortunate that the nature of the human condition seems to be short-sighted, and with a selectively short memory with regard to the lessons of history. It seems as though the only consideration of self is in the form of greed, selfishness, sanctimony, and self-righteousness. There are, of course, great exceptions to this generalized statement. Even so, I know few who even know their neighbors names.
My limitations are my own, and the acknowledgment of my capabilities are further clarified with each day I am presented with new situations. It is my hope that I continue to grow as an individual. It is my further hope that any legacy I may leave behind will be a benefit to those who follow. As with anything, time will be the trial and judge.
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