In the past I've had definite self-confidence issues. Heck, I still have self-confidence issues that I privately fight with. Recently, I came across something that touched a bit close to home and really resonated with me. Funny enough, I actually came across this when watching the movie "Akeelah And The Bee" with my wife (which I found to be a surprisingly cute movie (despite what "movie critics" might have said (I'll save that rant for another time))).
While interviewing at Microsoft, I found myself repeating sections of this to myself over and over. It has definitely helped me along when I start to fight self-confidence issues. I'd imagine there are others out there that fight with the same kind of mental issues. For those of you who do, I would like to share this passage by Nelson Mandela and Marriane Williamson:
What We Fear the Most
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure,
It is our light not 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 doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people 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 unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear; Our presence automatically liberates others.
by Nelson Mandela and Marriane Williamson
[Crosspost from Managed World]