"We Are Powerful Beyond Measure"

This blog launches as a sister blog to Ahead of the Wave on this very special, yet sober day in my life; the one year anniversary of my Mother's death. I've been procrastinating for weeks about my first post for Back in the Day, a blog about my life in Medicine. There is no more time to put off what bubbles forth from my heart. There is no excuse to wait for perfection, to stall the process hoping for a smooth ride. My Mom's death from old age and dementia reminds me that she always wanted to write about her life but put off the process endlessly. She left stories untold and that is a tragedy.

The time for me is now. 

Mom was an an enormous inspiration and source of strength in my life. She steadfastly believed in me and always asserted that I could be whoever I wanted to be. She loved deeply and unconditionally. I know she would have enjoyed reading this blog and from somewhere, I feel her inspiration and support in this new project.

I'll begin my blog with a favorite quote from Marianne Williamson. The words come from her book, A Return to Love: Reflections of the Principles of a Course in Miracles. She captures beautifully the simultaneous exhilarating and terrifying truth of our abilities and talents. She admonishes us to shine our light so that others may be encouraged to shine as well.

She says;

"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."

How often do we fear our inadequacy when our power is just beneath the surface? How often do we turn away from our strengths to hide in the shadows?

Marianne follows with an explanation.

"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's 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're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." 

And so it goes.

And so, today I begin my new blog, Back in the Day, a series of posts about my life in Medicine. I'd like to think that this quote of Ms. Williamson is a steady theme, fueling my creativity. All my life I've struggled to find my talents and to transform my uncertainty into light, a light that shines, inspires, and comforts others.

No more delays. Here we go.