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, 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 are all meant to shine, as children do. 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.

-Marianne Williamson

I’m usually a lot better with words, but as I look to the future and my apprehensions about student teaching, finding a job, and so much other things that are unknown, I’m at a loss for words.

You are powerful beyond anything that you can realize in your human mind, right now.  Make a commitment that you are going to rise to the occasion, grab the ring, be the person you want to be, today.    Tomorrow may never come and if the only thing holding you back is fear, that’s a poor excuse.  If you have to do it scared, then do it scared.  But do it.  It might hurt a little, but you won’t regret it.

-John Cummings

Not only have these two quotes given me encouragement and hope, but I hope to take them with me into my classroom as a mantra for myself. I hope that my students will adopt these views as well.