Actually, who are you not to be?

Last night we had a meeting for the Women in Engineering mentoring group at BYU.  It was a wonderful meeting complete with friends and good food (we're women, what do you expect?).  My adviser shared this quote.  It's her favorite, and it may become mine :)

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,

but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous, handsome, talented and 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 were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. 

It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give

other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear,

our presence automatically liberates others."

 -Nelson Mandela