6 April 2008
A community is only being created when its members accept that they are not going to achieve great things, that they are not going to be heroes, but simply live each day with new hope, like children, in wonderment as the sun rises and in thanksgiving as it sets. Community is only being created when they have recognised that the greatness of man is to accept his insignificance, his human condition and his earth…
Community and Growth
- Jean Vanier
April 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
im a community enthusiast.
thanks for our hangout the other nite! i havent laughed that hard in ages
xo
April 7th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
In interesting contrast to Mandela:
Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, 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 make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is 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 fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
April 8th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
It is an interesting contrast. Although I don’t think the two have to be at odds. In more context perhaps it seems less at odds with Mandela. But I don’t think Jean is saying one can’t be great inside community. I think his point is more about the everydayness of it. Within that we can have great power.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
You won’t be suprised to know that I love that quote.