Who am I to be brilliant?
In my sorting through what seems to be an endless amounts of materials gathered over the 19 years I have lived in Ireland, I came accross a part of the Nelson Mandela inaugural speech. I don’t know whether all the meeting of people for the last time and saying goodbye to some of my favourite places, has made me a bit reflective and introspective. Or whether recent conversations with some close friends about stepping up and going after the next level that is out there for the taking if we feel we want it, is really what is making this speech very current and very relevant to more than any other time.
In talking to people about my move to Stockholm a lot of people feel that it is a massively courageous move to make and that if they could they would love to do the same. To be honest I am not sure whether I have the same viewpoint, for me my decision to move is based on opportunity and timing coming together. I am looking forward to the new challenge, with that I wouldn’t be human if I had no sentiments about leaving a lot of things behind in Ireland, but is that really courage?
I think all of our experiences both positive and negative ones lead us to become more rounded people. To me to stop evolving and not adapting and not availing of opportunities when they occur would really be limiting, frustrating and not what we were intended to be on this planet for. So whether that is courage or just making the most of life I am not sure.
I think all my career moves and businesses to date have made this move possible and it will allow me to explore implementing my skills from a different angle and that to me is refreshing. All I can say is that my move is based on all the right reasons for me personally and most of my true friends have been extremely similar in their view of the situation, which has been great to have so much support around.
If anything that is what all of us need when we are going through change: a trusted friend network that can support decisions which take an element of faith to make. These same friends will probably and highly likely tell you when you are missing the point too, at least mine do.For all of you wondering, whether you could make a bold move into a new direction, here is the text that to me is relevant to all of us pondering brilliance on a personal and business level.
Who am I to be brilliant? (excerpt form inaugural speech of Nelson Mandela 1994)
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?’
Actually who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that people won’t feel insecure around you
we are born to 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 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.
So next time you or a friend are pondering whether to take the next step, ask yourself the question…Who are you NOT to be brilliant?