I think you may be feeling this question because it is easier and more comfortable to be the person you've always been. I think the thought that lingers in alot of our minds is, could our beliefs and thoughts be modified to be and do more? And, how do we live up to the fact that we are unlimited beings? We are more powerful than we realize and it can be intimidating, but that's ok. The reason we are here in the first place is to realize our true nature, and by asking this question you already have. Peace, and Happy Expanding.

It's a great question, and not one that I can personally answer because the answer will be specific to you. It should, however, keep you busy for awhile contemplating it. The true answer should be very enlightening for you, when you do discover it.

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, 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 are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is 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 automatically liberates others.

~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992

It is far easier to not take on the responsibility of being for there is no risk however there is likewise no growth, and yes in this stagnation we not only stop but reverse into feeling not worthy. This worthiness is not ours it could not be so as much as we may try God has done all the hard work for us and made of us worthy in his site because he loved us so much that he took our garbage and gave us gold in it's place by substituting himself as the one human that represents all men and women forever and paid their price for them.

With this in mind that it was already done for us so we could have the kingdom of God right here right now and all the richness of it including all his power authority and most especially know his love. We needn't be frightened of our power for it was freely and gladly given to us all even though in his time of life we said kill him, he said forgive them. That is how much God loves us that we could hurt him immensely and he take on every sin of humanity for eternity, willingly he was unrecognizable looked like minced meat when he was nailed to the cross as a man. I can not even begin to imagine the punishment he willing took in hell for us all for three days for every sin these are from the lest to the worst he became what he hated to save us.

If God believes you are worthy of his gifts and love just because he loves you accept and be that for God then yourself.

A quote regarding existence :

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.

And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.

And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

William Shakespeare

... and another about playing ...

They are playing a game at not playing a game.
If I show them that I see they are playing a game,
I shall break the rules and they will punish me.
Therefore I must play the game of not seeing that I see the game.

RD Laing

This might sound crazy, but stay with me and see if this feels alright to you ...

Imagine a playground you know well from your childhood. Do you remember playing games involving pretending while you played there? Take this post one step further. Do YOU see how everyone is playing a game, still pretending? How the whole world seems to enjoy blowing elements of life way out of proportion? Or how about the way humans make tasks really difficult for themselves (like blowing up tons of rocket fuel to get a few humans off the ground; there must be an easier way!)? Do you sometimes feel like you are playing a part in a play, a game, a dream?

Depression is scariest when the undeniability of it's truth settles in :

There is no self. That's what there is to fear: eternal emptiness.

The player playing the game Must keep up the game or ... Game Over!

A good long look into the eyes of another circle-eyed being will point at this as well. Look into the dark empty hole and how perfectly it shines back a reflection of You!

"Why am I afraid of that which I am?"

I am nothing, playing a game of being something and I want to keep playing!

A final quote :

Here’s a secret method for replacing fog with sunshine.

When you feel scared, don’t pretend you’re brave. Truth gives you permission to be just as scared as you really are. Just be aware of your anxiety without worrying over it.

This self-help not only banishes fear but delivers great relief. It is like a tired actor who removes his uncomfortable costume after a hard night onstage. Since he no longer needs to impress the audience he can just relax and enjoy being himself.

Vernon Howard

BONUS!

Here's a fun video to help deal with fear : http://www.zefrank.com/zesblog/archives/2007/11/songs_you_alrea.html

:)

InJoy!

Hu

PS (for anyone who skipped to the bottom for the short version;)

Life as ordinarily lived is nothing but a reaction and a recoil that itself is suffering.

That is, ordinary life is a contraction or recoil that does not lead to suffering but is itself the very activity of suffering. Anything the separate self does to try to avoid this recoil or contraction is itself simply more contraction, because "self" and "recoil" or "self" and "contraction" are one and the same process — and that process is suffering.

Trying to avoid suffering is itself suffering. Men and women seek because they are presently unhappy, but since this search is merely a reaction to suffering itself, it continues to assume suffering even as it attempts to escape it.

Ken Wilber on Bubba Free John

Namaste,

If you fear that which you are, you don't REALLY know what you are. Because what you really are is the same divine substance as everything and everyone and even God is. ( I use the term God very loosely here). There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. What you are feeling could possibly be the fear the Ego minds are experiencing when they realize they a)have no reality and b)what "comforts" they will have to surrender to realize what you really are.....

But then I was never known for being overly smart about these things....

(I know that Wade will come on, and he will have a great answer to this question- be sure to watch for it!)

The truth is, Michaela, that we can be quite something if we just listen to our hearts and try to be what God intended for us to be! It is frightening to think that you could write a book, Michaela; but I have watched you rack up points like crazy (you are gonna pass me up really soon! You go, girl!). You could write a book if you wanted to! You are so good at answering questions; you have talent! That is just one example of what I mean.

For some reason, though, we often do not reach our full potential. Winners do what losers do not want to do. Also, life keeps us busy. We have to set goals and stick to them. We have to take time away from other people to reach our goals and this can be hard and feels almost selfish.

Listen to that voice, and follow your dreams. Remember, it says: Be not afraid, for I am God, and am with you always!

Blessings, Jai biting her nails, watching Michaela rack up points...LOL!

That's to be expected. The hardest thing is facing oneself. Especially if you've been brought up in a religious household where you've been taught not to go there for you might get caught up in unkown territory and dabbling with what you may not be able to handle (I know my husband who is catholic was brought up to believe that.) Just keep in mind, there's no fear but fear itself. When you're ready, you'll be there.

Thank you, namaste

That's because you are It. You are the eye of the Universe. You are the Totality of Everything. You are me.

As separate individuals, we have been keeping pretty busy for a long time. Busy with sustaining what we conceptually believe ourselves to be. Busy with the ongoing perception of time, busy with the perception of space form and our overall biography. The individual is wired to keep that egoic separation in place.

The thinking process did not ask that question...

consciousness did.

In simply observing that question, you can rest in the same source (within you already) from where it came. Perhaps it got your intention and immediate reflection because it was like watching a black and white movie in which an "in color" form appeared.

That question already has the answer within it.

It is the voice of the ego that is making you feel weak with fear, and helpless, so that you are not in control of your oneness within the universe! So it is important that you take time to ward off this fear, and replace it with spiritual confidence from the one Universal mind, and allow you’re self to be saturated with this new spiritual confidence, and consciousness.

Fear has no power over you, unless you allow it to have power over you, so gracefully send the ego packing, and relax, and enjoy who you really are!

it may be that as a child of the universe we, once in awhil, get flashes of that cosmic significance

You are afraid because of your separation from your higher self. This is the core of your soul. And if you don't have that, you are alone, and that is very scary. Find something spiritually uplifting like meditation, church etc. You will find an inner glow when you quiet your internal thoughts and that will validate you are on the right track.

michaela stop having fear of yourself! you are just starting the process of meditation that question that you have ear is something not solve in you! so go deeper with out fear understand the meaning and put it to rest then you can go to another unsolve thing in you! good luck have faith you can do it!