It’s an issue when you’re intimidated by others’ greatness. But it’s a critical issue when you’re intimidated by your own. People often block their greatness because it would raise expectations. Mostly unconsciously, though sometimes consciously. For example, a teenager may resist studying hard for a test because if she aces the test, she would be expected to ace every test after that by her teacher, family, and ultimately herself. It’s a silly idea on the surface, but once someone realizes they have potential to do better, the realization is quickly ignored because it’s added pressure. In this scenario, the teenager knows they are capable of acing a test, but doesn’t believe she can live up to that standard every time due to a lack of confidence in herself. Therefore, instead of raising expectations, she may choose to dwell (and excel) in mediocrity.
What that teenager needs is faith. As Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Faith is taking the first step even if you don’t see the whole staircase.” So that teenager must have faith that if she takes one step at a time towards her light, she’ll eventually get there – even if it’s unclear how many steps encompass the staircase. People must trust that they have what it takes to not just go towards their light, not just get to their light – but stay there also. The light is intimidating; it’s the unknown, but one must Face Everything And Rise towards it. After all, with great power comes great responsibility. That responsibility is to escape your cave, step towards your light, and see what happens when it brights up.
Ralph Waldo Emerson – “Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.”
(0:40) “Our deepest fear is not that we’re inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You’re 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 all meant to shine as children … “
– CF Inspired