illuminate

There is a light deep within my soul. If I but allow it to shine, my own path will be illumined. All those whom I encounter may find the way, as well, because of that light which I allow to beam brightly.

 “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 frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' 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 people won't feel insecure around you. 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 all of us. And when 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.”Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Illuminate:

This one for whom my light especially shines:

 

 "Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

With many special thanks to Susan Tuttle and Chrysti Hydeck for their {ECHO} prompts. Week 9 "Illuminate".

"Illuminations"