It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
  We ask ourselves, ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,   talented, fabulous?’
  Actually who are you NOT to be?
  Your playing small does not serve the world.
  There is nothing enlightening about shrinking   so that others won’t feel unsure around you.
  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.
–Nelson Mandela

What does this mean? You weren’t meant to strive for conform–to fit in amongst others whose passions are dampened by the need to be accepted. By people who let the opinions and advice of those around them sway them from their goals. You were meant to be–anything. Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, etc….define it as exactly who you ARE and then decide what it will be for you in five, ten, fifteen, twenty years. Don’t fear the change, nor allow those around you to. Change is the most beautiful part of life because it moves us closer to those moments of full enjoyment.  Ironically, change will occur whether we work hard for it or sit back and do nothing–but POSITIVE change occurs through hard work, effort, planning, and belief in yourself.

Note that Mr. Mandela states there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that others won’t feel unsure around you. I thought it a typo at first, then realized the truth in it. If people are uncomfortable around you because you push them or yourself to achieve more–you are definitely making a change in the world. You are building rather than breaking. Either by example or expectations.

 

Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.

–Winston Churchill

Make your concerns work for you by turning them from fear to plans and preparation. Being prepared is positive and lends to success.

 

And lastly because I think if we just keep working toward our goals regardless of the roadblocks:

 

Resistance and obstacles crumble under the relentless pressure of constant, determined effort.
–Tracy Brinkmann