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 help the world.

There's nothing enlightening about shrinking down so someone 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 others permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others

      ~ Marianne Williamson

I believe the quote above shares a positive message that college students should embrace. Attending college is like embarking on a journey that does not provide evidence of a successful outcome on an immediate basis. Simply put, going to college for some students is a frightening experience. For many college students the idea of leaving home is exciting at first glance. However, once on campus they demonstrate behaviors that are symptomatic of separation anxiety. (Separation anxiety is a psychological term which means developmentally inappropriate and excessive anxiety/unease/worry concerning separation from home or from those to whom the individual is attached.) Such worry can result in self-doubt and feelings of insecurity which in turn can lead to a victim mentality. Soon we see manipulative behaviors that often do not produce desired results and thus observe anger and frustration, two emotions that nourish depression and denial cast in physical and emotional weariness. Hence we hear students express, “I’m just tired of school,” or “I ain’t feel’in this.”

My own collegiate experience and my professional experience advising, befriending, counseling, mentoring, and teaching traditional-aged college students has thus far brought me to understand that we are capable of carrying a spirit of fear into every environment, even those that are intentionally designed to assist and support our success. Where did the spirit of fear originate, how was it born, and what purpose does it serve? I will not take up time and space to answer those questions. My advice is to take the following at face value:

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The quote and the scripture can go hand in hand. I encourage all students to shed the type of fear that keeps you from experiencing the greatness within you and deliberately place yourself in environments that challenge you to take the type of risks that will allow others to become free of fear, as they see you conquer fear.

Demetrius Marlowe

back to the Purpose home page
back to the SpartanEdge.com home page