This week was again an amazing journey, all of the readings were inspiring and thought provoking. My key takeaway from the video "A Hero's Journey" was when he explained why he expects BYU Idaho students to change the world. I think of myself as a pretty ordinary person, not someone destined to do great things. But he pointed out that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the privilege of living in the freest country in the world. We're obtaining and education that melds those advantages together well. It completely changed the way I view myself, and my children. We may seem ordinary, but compared to people around the world and throughout history we have enormous advantages. If we don't use those advantages to make the world a better place, who else can do it? This really inspired me. It reminded me of that ubiquitous but still inspiring Marianne Williamson quote:
“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? 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.”
I tend to be shy about thinking of myself as anything special. I love that reminder that my "playing small does not serve the world." I appreciate Jeff Sandefer's reminder that I have been given enormous advantages. "Where much is given much is required." I hope I can live up to my privileges.
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