Our Deepest Fear

Each of us can have two stories . . . The one we present to our family and friends, the person we desire and strive to be, and the more vulnerable story we sometimes hide . . . on the surface the same, but a story perhaps hidden with unrevealed secrets and unfathomable fears. Each story is a part of who we are. Yet sometimes the undiscovered stories hidden beneath our layers of mistrust, can lead to our deepest fears. If your loved ones discovered your secret inner thoughts and the fears of your youth, would they understand, or would they judge you without wanting to know more or understand? Perhaps there is pain, intermittently hidden, recreated into a new reality, somehow inappropriate for emotional relationships that have been set on a pedestal, desiring to be ideal.

There are secrets that we keep of little consequence, as their discovery would only prove embarrassing or humorous at most. Then there are also the secrets hidden deep within our family history, desirous to break free, yet fearful of reproach. Discovery of a family secret can be devastating to the spirit for a season, with feelings of betrayal and mistrust taking center stage. Sometimes we question the existence of the secret, even when presented with overwhelming evidence . . . denying the painful truth, wondering if instead, it is just a dream--or perhaps a nightmare.

Family secrets, the ones that are seemingly buried deep beneath the innermost places of the soul, the ones lived with, yet convinced public revelation would result in personal destruction if ever divulged, can never stay completely hidden. Somehow they are eventually unearthed, tumbling to the surface like rotting old dinosaur bones that were assumed nonexistent. Remarkably, secrets unearthed from their buried tombs of lies, bring freedom to the spirit! Where confusion dwelt—confidence, strength and courage emerge. Old secrets released lose their energy of importance, becoming powerless to their victims. It’s then we discover, as the secrets are finally revealed, that they were always a cancerous tumor growing on our souls, eating slowly away at the picture perfect facade they tried to portray—keeping us from our true identity, and basking in God’s bright light.

Marianne Williamson's widely acclaimed motivational poem, “Our Deepest Fear,” is in reality not a poem at all, but an excerpt from her book, “A Return to Love.” It has been inspiring people for decades with its profoundly resonating message about our fear of greatness, of standing out from the pack and letting our inner light shine.

 If you've ever felt that paralyzing fear of stepping forward and presenting yourself to public scrutiny, you may have found your first impulse was to label it a ‘fear of failure.’ But in Our Deepest Fear, Marianne Williamson addresses the other side of that feeling. The fear of being better than your peers . . . perhaps even daring to be the best!


Our Deepest Fear has such inspirational power that it has now become a stand-alone mantra for a generation of exceptional individuals who wish to motivate themselves and others to live up to their fullest potential. It is considered to be an anthem for a contemporary generation of positive seekers. It's a powerful message! Enjoy.

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, fabulous?”

Actually, who are you 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, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give

other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Taken From “A Return to Love,” By Marianne Williamson