Powerful Beyond Measure


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inade-
quate. ~ 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? ~ 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 are all meant to shine, as children do. ~ 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 everyone. And as 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.” ~~ Excerpt from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.
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I notice in my mandalas the V-like symbol shows up a lot. I view it as either a "merging"...OR a "fork in the road"...I see both as prompting me to be awake, aware and fully alive in each moment...making conscious decisions of how I will spend...as Garden Girl says... the "currency" of my time...the currency of my life! What a gift this mandala work is.
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And so...as we embark on our continuing journey and come to crossroads, it's inevitable that we will be prompted to to either "merge with" the greater ideas and attiudes that bring us in closer alignment with our higher and best selves...OR -- take the "fork in the road" and leave behind what no longer represents who and what we are, where we're going and who we're becoming. They're two sides of the same coin, with a subtle yet powerful difference; sometimes it's more liberating to focus on moving toward where we're going...and sometimes liberation comes from acknowledging and giving ourselves credit for "letting go" of what no longer serves us. Each are pivotal, defining moments...a celebration of self, really....And that's when Marianne Williamson's words shine as a guiding light in and through me. It's a wonder-filled light...and may that same light shine on you ever so brightly.

Comments

Lisa said…
Wonderful post, Cheryl! And beautiful mandala.
Anonymous said…
what a gorgeous mandala, cheryl! love it!
Anonymous said…
I would like to thank you for your generous and loving comments on my blog yesterday. I cannot tell you how much they mean to me and I feel so blessed everyday that I finally let go of the fear and began this journey.

Everday I feel more like my true self and I am so blessed to have found so many beuatiful kindred spirits to travel this road with.

You have such a generous spirit and this post is a gift to all of us. Thankyou.
Everydaythings said…
Yes I really have to echo Bees post - Cheryl you do have the most generous spirit, taking those under your wing who need it. I was one of those and now feel so muchbetter and feel that you are out really 'listening' to me! thank you form the bottm of my heart.
Everydaythings said…
from the bottm of my heart - sorry typo!
Cheryl Finley said…
Bee,Garden Girl, Lisa & Leah..and all who enter here...
I appreciate your heartful acknowledgments..& I'm thankful to you & all who are a part of this artful community. My heart smiles,expands & glows when I can touch and uplift someone. I believe it has it's own radiating search light...seeking and saying "Who can I inspire today?"

I feel deeply blessed to be doing what I am on this planet to do. Goodness knows I'm inspired by each of you in so many, many ways... and by so many others as well. It's a glorious blessing to be riding this wavelength with all of you. I thank you for being here with me.
Anonymous said…
To Cheryl...

You borrow inspiration from the sky, and music from a wild, free bird. You capture a chime from the late summer breeze,
and from the orchid a word,
You release a song from your heart,
magic from the luminous moon,
You take a dragonfly's winged steps
out of a cobwebbed rune.

From each of your amazing talents you fashion creative magic in your special way...then you share with friends and our hearts hold an authentic,enchanted day!
Cheryl Finley said…
Ahh Royce,
My, my...you have an incredible, magnificient gift of words and you imbue them with your presence and intent. What an a wonderful, loving gift you've given me in this poetic blessing. What a mystic gift you are. There are no words to convey the depth of my gratitude for you, and your presence in my life...and on our planet. You scatter wonderfulness wherever you go...a soothing balm for our souls.

Thank you.
Annie Z said…
Wow, this mandala made me stop in my tracks. So powerful. And then I read your quote. This is one of my favourite books and author, Marianne Williamson. I recently revived my reading of it earlier this year.

I love how you describe your mandalas and what they mean to you.

Annie
xxx
NicciN said…
Thanks for pointing me here. It resonates so well with where I am right now. I really appreciate it.