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?..." - Marianne Williamson

The above is a quote from my favorite film, Akeelah and the Bee, which tells the tale of young girl who despite the odds against her, excels in spelling bee competitions. I have watched it quite a number of times, and yet it never ceases to leave me with feelings of inspiration tinged with nostalgic memories of my own spelling bee days.

I cannot even fully capture how pertinent this quote is. As we navigate our way through life: school, relationships, health, spirituality...Fear pops up like a pus- filled pimple in our lives. 

We are too scared to audition for that play, because there are so many other better performers. We shy away from applying to that school, because, heck, who would accept me with my grades? And we are too afraid to write, and share our work with others unless it is " perfect". Perfection remains elusive.

This quote is especially pertinent right now as I am a candidate for a position in the News Department of my school's community radio station. Applying was the first step. Then I got the interview, and got enrolled in the training program where I am now to learn how to write and produce a news broadcast.

 But there is a catch. Over the next couple weeks, the station is to monitor or assess our progress during the training sessions, and make the final decision. Not everyone is going to get into the News Team. Our station manager described  it as a "Hunger Games" type of situation where we are all competing for the same title...And they can only be one victor, and the rest of us just die ( BTW: if you don't know what the Hunger Games are, do read Heather's review:  http://imaniandheather.blogspot.com/search?q=Hunger+Games+). 

It is quite intimidating to think that one of us might be sent packing. I often have to snap out of those thoughts of comparing myself to others whenever I am placed in competitive environments. 

The thought of failing scares me. The thought that I am not the only person is the world with the similar aspirations.

Comparison then sets in. You become so focused on what other people can do better,that you miss out on your own unique attributes.  That is not to say that we should just sit around, and not improve ourselves. But we shouldn't be so transfixed on our inadequacies, that we neglect actually addressing them. 

So my approach this month is drumming into my head that each and everyone of us in this " Hunger Games" -esque is special.  We are all meant to shine.That is why we have been shortlisted among heaps of applicants. 

And thankfully our lives are not on the line. 

Peace and Love

Imani Dlamini 

Do feel free to comment and share your thoughts.