814. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and that can grow brave by reflection. ~Thomas Paine

by

19

Refuse to fall down
If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down.
If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven,
and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled.
The one who says nothing good comes of such as this,
is not yet listening.
~Edited excerpt
by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

DSC_0308

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

DSC_0274

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10  ✝

**Photos I took in Paris when we went to see Napoleon’s Tomb at Les Invaides…

19 thoughts on “814. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and that can grow brave by reflection. ~Thomas Paine”

  5. Bonjour Natalie, toutes et tous ! – Ce sot de belles et fortes paroles, -… voici les Invalides – ce superbe endroit majestueux où sont soignés nos soldats, qui y sont aussi accueillis pour leur retraite-Bises – Hugs:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Beautiful—with the filtering and dappling light and what a fitting train of thought as it drew us to the thoughts of men such a Napoleon and others who are perceived as most powerful yet it is the fear of their own inadequacies which hides at the core of that sense of power—excellent reflection

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Gorgeous shots you took, Natalie. I’ve always liked the quote by Marianne Williamson–it’s like a call to action for those of us who were too timid to know we already had permission to soar and shine His Light of Love. ❤
    Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.