This is the fourth guest post by Jean S., who is sharing her experience of participating the 6-week What Do You Want? course. She previously wrote about week 1, week 2 and week 3.
During this class we took some time to consider our personal responses to the oft-quoted Marianne Williamson statement: “There is no passion to be found in playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Has this quote ever taken your breath away? Have you ever looked this quote in the eye and asked yourself which way you are living—with passion, or settling? Or what? And why?
I find that to think about “the life I am capable of living” versus the life I have lived so far is both scary and exciting at the same time. I think about how frequently I “play small,” rather than BE who I really am—magnificent and brilliant. I’m sure this is true of others.
Living with passion, I suspect, is what happens when we engage with even the little things in each day, rather than just to go along, get along, get by each day. When I bring my own, unique contribution into the world, it’s an offering that only I can give, which is energizing in its own way—for me and, perhaps, for the world around me.
You may find this sort of investigation leads to other questions. More questions lead to more thought and probably some insights. This is good! As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Well, you know how spreading that around ended for him. Watch out, Joycelyn.
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