In 1993, Marianne Williamson published a famous and empowering quote that Nelson Mandela used in his inaugural address in 1994. I’ve kept this quote framed on my desk for years. Then I started seeing it everywhere—in books and articles—and I wanted to capture the essence of the message in song. I’m Shining is inspired by Marianne’s quote, which I’m including here:

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 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 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 automaticaly liberates others.

~ Marianne Williamson
A Return to Love

I'm Shining
Words and Music by Laura Derocher

I was afraid, not of my darkness,
but of my brightest light.
I learned to tame my fire
so I wouldn’t shame the night.

Then the master woke within me,
and the lover and the sage.
And they begged me, "Lift this story.
Flood each page. Flood each page."

CHORUS:
So now I’m shining. I’m shining.
I’m shining and when I do
maybe others will find
they’re free to shine too.

Consider where we came from,
the force that moves each heart.
If I don’t use this power,
who will live my part?

No more thinking I’m not brilliant
or shrinking to play small.
I was born to share the glory
that’s in us all. It’s in us all.

CHORUS: (Repeat)

BRIDGE:
I’m shining…I’m shining…

CHORUS: (Repeat)

Like you. Shine too.

© 2001 Laura Derocher (ASCAP). All rights reserved.

Hear an audio sample of this song and order Laura’s CD Song of My Own at .

Choose another song.

Look How I’m Leading Now It Wouldn’t Be Bedford Falls When You Passed Through Song of My Own What Are You Meant To Do This Kind of Love Have Patience Once Upon Your Lifetime Only Love Towers I’m Shining