Thanks Nelson

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?" Who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us: it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.

I know many folks have referenced this, but it comes back to me from time to time as I reflect on the guilt and fear that keep so many of us shackled. The self-hatred that we carry for knowing our influence in the world.

I have had conversation after conversation about the place of the educated, middle-class white American male in this world. There is so much grief around our history.

But is refusing power better than using power? Aren't all great movements of the people realized when they found their found their voice...and their ability to influence. Isn't that why we tell story? Because we feel that we must influence one another? Perhaps that sounds a bit strong, but...

True, influence for power's sake is a most dangerous place, but ought we deny the soil beneath our feet? It tell us where we stand. And we must not lie to ourselves.

So where do we go from here?