Let Each Shine By Their Own Light

“People don’t always believe the boastful things they profess about themselves. Many times such an attitude is indicative of a person who is trying to convince themselves of the truth of the words they say. Their grandiosity then is merely evidence of their longing to have other persons validate for them that which they don’t even believe in themselves. But faith does not come this way. Faith must come from within. No one else can give to you that which you deny yourself. ”
- An excerpt from the ebook Divine Heritage .

There’s a quote that I like which I think goes nicely with aforementioned thought. It is taken from the channeled material of The Abraham Teachers found in the Ester and Jerry Hicks book The Law of Attraction.

The quote is this: “The greatest gift that you could ever give another is the expectation of their success. ”

The overall thought then is this… While no person can ever give to another person self assurance, self esteem, self confidence and the like - any person may inspire another to find such treasures within themselves. (We cannot serve as the light for another, but we can and do serve as a mirror for them).

The best teacher is also the student. And you are your own best teacher.

We are, every one of us, teachers. We teach everyone we touch. Not by our instruction, however, but by our presence and by our example. We are all, every one of us, also the student for we all have experiences. And these experiences constantly push us to think about life in new and more evolved ways. We are constantly learning. We are constantly studying. You are both the teacher and the student. The teacher is the object from which something may be learned. The student is the one who is open to this learning. And you are both of these things. For by your mere presence, by your mere example, you cannot help but to function as a demonstration of some lesson to someone else. And by your mere being you cannot help but to experience life. And from these experiences you cannot help but to be inspired to reflect on life.

The best teacher is also the one who empowers you (not to follow the light of another, but to recognize the same light you see around you within your own self). And you are your own best teacher for only you have the power to impart this kind of power to you.

True empowerment never comes from an outside source. True empowerment always comes from within. The whole world may be singing the praises of your beauty, of your wit, of the value of your presence and your contributions to the community at large. But until this praise is affirmed within yourself, you will carry no real authority from it.

The best teacher always tailors every lesson to meet you at your personal level of understanding.

And you are your own best teacher for not only are you the one that chooses your own understanding, you are the only one who is constantly framing every little thing in your experience to appeal to your own interest.

In this consideration, the best teacher for you is always you. Have confidence in yourself. Trust that the higher power which you see operating through those you admire also resides within yourself and that it is there to guide you on the path that is not merely best for, but uniquely suited to you. Therefore, look not to others to guide you. Look to others to inspire you (and absolutely resolve to be open to that inspiration when it comes). Look to others to serve as teaching aids, not superintendents of wisdom. Seek all guidance within yourself. Measure all reason within yourself. This form of inquiry truly, and ultimately, can never err.

Each must shine by their own light.