23 March 2008

The Extra-ordinary Life

I just love it when I come across a piece of writing that takes me out of the ordinary and deposits me in the extra-ordinary...


These are two such examples...


Taken from 'A Return to Love' 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 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 own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.


I read this paragraph when I'm feeling frightened, insecure, unsure of what lies ahead and it always, but always, gives me peace.


Taken from 'Stargirl' by Jerry Spinelli
"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew... "


I read this book just recently and want to give it to every person I pass on the street. It is a book where, after reading it, you are never quite the same again. It embraces you, cocoons you, then sets you free to be your own 'stargirl'.



Today's favourite song: Ralph Vaughn Williams 'Lark Ascending':



IF you are looking for hope, if you are looking for inspiration, if you are lost in your darkest hour, you will find peace in the above...


.

1 comment:

Alex said...

Can I borrow the book then? xxx