"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."
I thought that too initially, but based on the context of the book that I was reading at the time "The Leap: How 3 Simple Changes Can Propel Your Career from Good to Great" by Rick Smith (highly recommended), I now agree with Ms. Williamson.
Her point is, I believe, that our imaginative side, which envisions our dreams, goals, etc., strikes fear in us because of the distance between here and there. We know that we are capable of reaching our dreams but are, in essence, afraid of reaching them because our brain focuses on the things that could prevent us from getting there, such as inadequacies, and whether the change is worth the effort involved, without being able to focus on the positive side and think of solutions to perceived problems. Another way of thinking of it is that our brain anticipates failure, not success. (This is based on the brain's historical makeup and those functioning parts of the brain-- in-depth and technical, I know.)
Essentially, our idea of the present is much stronger than that of the future, which is often times what prevents us from making those steps forward. But it is our drive to the future, our creative side, that stirs the pot, if you will.
Does this make sense?
You may still disagree, but I thought I would give you my reasoning for including the quote. It's not intuitive, at least, not to most, but I thought it was worth posting, if nothing else, than to generate dialog.
Hate to disagree, but I'm pretty sure my own fears have to do with inadequacies, both imagined and real.
ReplyDeletenwb
I thought that too initially, but based on the context of the book that I was reading at the time "The Leap: How 3 Simple Changes Can Propel Your Career from Good to Great" by Rick Smith (highly recommended), I now agree with Ms. Williamson.
ReplyDeleteHer point is, I believe, that our imaginative side, which envisions our dreams, goals, etc., strikes fear in us because of the distance between here and there. We know that we are capable of reaching our dreams but are, in essence, afraid of reaching them because our brain focuses on the things that could prevent us from getting there, such as inadequacies, and whether the change is worth the effort involved, without being able to focus on the positive side and think of solutions to perceived problems. Another way of thinking of it is that our brain anticipates failure, not success. (This is based on the brain's historical makeup and those functioning parts of the brain-- in-depth and technical, I know.)
Essentially, our idea of the present is much stronger than that of the future, which is often times what prevents us from making those steps forward. But it is our drive to the future, our creative side, that stirs the pot, if you will.
Does this make sense?
You may still disagree, but I thought I would give you my reasoning for including the quote. It's not intuitive, at least, not to most, but I thought it was worth posting, if nothing else, than to generate dialog.