What is Your Deepest Fear?

One of my childhood buddies sent a nice and inspiring e-mail to a bunch of Sea Sands folks (including me, of course). He is a well known figure in Hyderabad now, and he rubs his shoulders with prominent people (I heard). Here is an excerpt from his e-mail. It took a lot of determination and hard work for him to become what he has become. He managed to hold on to his values and modesty all this time. Way to go Mr. X! This post is dedicated to you.

I made a lot of money with my door-to-door sales stuff, but listen, more than money, I made myself stronger, stronger and much more stronger by the minute. ...How many of us from Sea Sands must've slept on a platform for three months amidst the thick of summer in a city like Mumbai at the age of 18 years. Well, I did. How many of us must've not eaten for weeks but yet maintained a face so smiling in order to sell those few goods, well, i did.

It reminded me of a quote from the movie Coach Carter. In this movie, Coach Carter keeps asking the players what their deepest fear was. These under dogs practice and practice on their Basket Ball skills, but no one gives coach an answer. After many days, while reaping their success from hard work, Cruz, one of the players abruptly says this to the Coach.

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. 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. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.