1994 Inauguration Speech Nelson Mandela

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 not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other won’t feel insecure around you.

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

consciously give other people permission

to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our

Presence automatically liberates others.

1994 Inaugural Speech of Nelson Mandela.

A poem written by Marianne Williamson, and the words spoken by Nelson Mandela as he was elected, the new president of South Africa. The country's first black head of state, after being elected, in a fully democratic election. 1994

Words when written as poem can impact the person who is reading them, but imagine the impact of listening when someone as inspiring as Nelson Mandela is reading. That is the beauty of a word, it can inspire and help bring change to another. These words aren’t just words on a page, they have a plight behind them, a story that connects us as humans and to empower those, who read them.

Nelson Mandela an anti-apartheid revolutionary dedicated his life to fight for those who didn’t have a voice, to fight injustice and to ensure equality for all men, and bring forth new opportunities and choice.

For all men have been created the same and the only way forward to ensuring a better future, is through the understanding of each other, through empathy and dialogue. In today’s world we all have our part to play, to use our words wisely, to eliminate hatred, end racism and create a better future, one where we listen and understand each other.

Words when used positively can bring hope and change, to speak words of kindness that treat everyone the same. For 'I see love' and feel the world will be much better, when we see and feel love for each other.

Love and happiness

Charis x