#556 a light

Last week, South Africa and the world lost a special kind of leader.  After spending 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela became the country's "moral compass" and championed efforts to end the practice of apartheid.  He served as president for only five years (1994-1999), but leaves a legacy that outlives his time in office.

In a tribute to the impact he had beyond his own nation, the flags in the U.S. were flown at half-staff in his honor.  Four U.S. presidents* are each traveling nearly 16,000 miles round trip to pay their respects to Mr. Mandela.  They will be joined by at least 50 other world leaders at his memorial service tomorrow.

I doubt any of you will be jumping on a plane to head to South Africa, but you can pay tribute to his work by living out the challenge Marianne Williamson laid out at Mandela's inauguration:

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 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 were born to manifest the glory that is within us.  As we let our 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.

Have the courage to let your light shine brightly today.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

* Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton and Carter