Who am I not to be…?
“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.”
Earlier this week, my dear friend and a fellow writer, PJ, sent me the above quote by the author Marianne Williamson.
I tucked my head and nodded with self-recognition. Fear of being in the light. Yup, that’s me.
I’m certain I’m in good company, though. During her lifetime, except for her brother Henry’s bragging to his friends, Jane Austen was not publicly recognized as the acclaimed author of her works. Yet, from reading various biographies about Jane and her own personal letters, I get the impression that, even if it was socially acceptable for a woman to write publicly, Jane would have preferred and insisted on maintaining her anonymity.
I’ve often wondered what Jane would have thought of all this—the movies, the plays, the books, the t-shirts, the mugs, and of course, the shrine in my office to her. I have, at least, two copies each of her major and minor works. I have the mug. And of course, at the spot where I rest my head at the back of my writing chair, I have my prize find at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, a totebag that says ‘I Love Mr. Darcy.’
Would the indomitable Jane Austen admit to being frightened of her light? I think she might.
“Girl, you’re brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous!” If she materialized in front of me now, that’s what I would tell her. “Even dead nearly two-hundred years now, you’re more popular than Beyonce and Lady Gaga combined. Be proud of yourself, girlfriend!”
Ah! I see what PJ’s trying to tell me now with that Williamson’s quote.
You see, I’d confessed to PJ that I was suffering from the I-am-not-worthy reaction to the news that my debut novel, Compulsively Mr. Darcy, was nominated for a Best Book of 2012 poll, in a list where Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Game is also included. It’s like being invited to sing on American Idol with the likes of Beyonce and Lady Gaga when you know you’re tone deaf and can’t carry a tune.
I don’t know who Suzanne Collins has on her corner, but fortunately for me, I have the wise PJ and Williamson’s words.
Williamson’s quote continued with, “We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
Indeed, who am I not to be?
Move out of the way, Suzanne Collins, I want that Long and Short Reviews Best Book of 2012… with your help.
Voting continued to 2/14/13. Please vote for Compulsively Mr. Darcy.
One brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous commenter (voter or not) who shares with Austen Authors the many ways she or he is brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous (Who are you not to be!) will be picked at random on 2/14 to win a ‘I love Mr. Darcy’ totebag or a ‘Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen’ totebag from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England.
Nina Benneton
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Our deepest fear is one of my favorite quotes. It’s so inspirational. I read it periodically for a little push when I need it
Hi Dianna,
Thank you! It is inspirational, isn’t it? I had never heard of it before, but, like you, I’m going to read it periodically for a push whenever I need it.
I think as women, we’re raised and condition not to be in the light… I’m reminded of an observation quoted to me recently ‘Women think they’re not as attractive as they are. Men think they’re more handsome than they are….’
I wonder if this applies to being in light.
Nina, YAY!!
.
Congrats on the nomination — well deserved!! I’ll be off to vote in a moment
But first, yes…I love that quote, too. Thanks for reminding all of us of it!
Marilyn!
Thank you for the YAY and the vote.
Where have I been? I had not heard of that quote until now, but it’s very apt.
Just voted. I loved the wit of Compulsively Mr. Darcy. Congratulations on your nomination! Obviously, The Long and Short of It is a blog of discriminating tastes.
Mary,
Coming from a writer of sparkling wit such as yourself, that’s a high compliment! Thank you.
When I saw the books The Long and Short of It reviewed, I admit I was intimidated, but then, hey, everyone need some laughs and Mr. Darcy!
Congratulations, Nina! I voted for your book! But how can you be up against Hunger Games? Those books came out way before 2012. That doesn’t seem quite right unless I’m not understanding what “Best Book of 2012″ really means.
Thanks for the quote and the reminder that we should acknowledge our fabulousness.
Kathy,
I have no idea either. I figured the universe works in mysterious ways… Or, perhaps it’s the movie-book edition of the ‘Hunger Games’? Who knows!
We are fabulous! Why is it that it’s easier for some of us to accept that than others… I don’t know. I’m working on being kinder to myself.
Woohoo!! Congratulations Nina. You are awesome. I will happily vote for you.
Now, as to the ways I’m brilliant. Hmmmm….well, I can make pretty brilliant lists. The key is to put things on it that you are guaranteed to get done just to have the satisfaction of checking them off. Oh yeah, check marks are awesome. 
Good luck!
Lisa,
1. She’s awesome for commenting. Check.
2. She’s voted happily. Check.
3. She’s brilliant and doesn’t mind admitting it. Check.
4. She makes brilliant lists. Check.
5. She’s smart to put things guaranteed to get done. Check.
6. She cracks me up with her humor–making lists is an awesome skill! Check.
Congrats!! That’s a heck of a list to make it on! I’m doing my part and voting!
You know, every day people ask, “how are you today” and no one really wants to hear the truth (well, I overslept, the dog peed on my shoe, my coffee is cold and I have a 3 hour conference call in 10) so my general answer is “Fabulous! How are you?” I always think I have gotten up on the sunny side of 6 feet so I am def fabulous!
Stephanie!!!!!!
I LOVE you! I laughed and laughed at the sunny side of 6 feet! You’re right.
When my husband was grumbling about reaching a certain milestone birthday, I commented that ‘Better than not reaching that birthday!’
I read a tabloid article recently (love the tabloids) where a movie producer quoted a famous actor complaining about not having the right snacks on his private plane, “My life isn’t supposed to be this hard.”
I do wonder if many of us feel that way daily–my life isn’t supposed to be this hard, we tell ourselves when we oversleep, the dog peed on our shoe, etc…).
We could do what the movie producer did–travel to a third world country and worked with kids who live in rubbish pile (Hollywood people always have to do things with a hyperbolic flair, huh?) or we could just choose to have a fabulous day, eh?
Congrats! all the hard work paying off!
Thank you, Suze!
Oh, no, it’s not hard work. I love writing–it’s like play therapy for me.
The hard work is NOT writing but all the other little stuff of life–taking two screaming cats to the vet, waking up a teenager in the mornings, freeing a Barbie doll from her box (I think the Martel workers are into S & M–have you noticed how tied down Barbie is in the box?)
This is such a lovely post. I often find myself feeling a little reserved when it comes to being in any kind-of spotlight. I think believing in ourselves is one the toughest challenges to overcome. I’m about 75% there to truly believing that I am worthy of everything I’ve receieved, and that I can believe in myself. But I’d say that is quite an accomplishment in itself. Someday, hopefully soon, it’ll be at 100%!
Congrats by the way! I have yet to read your novel, but I look forward to sitting down and enjoying it.
Always,
Lisa L.
Hi Lisa,
Love your two name–Lisa Lynn, has a really nice, upbeat roll to it. (Sorry. I’m always looking for characters’ names).
Congratulations on the 75%! You’re so right about believing in ourselves deserving and capable of receiving everything we deserved.
I don’t know about 100% though. I think that might be asking too much of ourselves that we might be set up for failure. Hmm. How about you and I do what the Amish quilters do–they do not believe in perfection, so they always intentionally put a mistake in their quilts. What if we give ourselves 93%. 7% percent being inadequate is still a good amount of room, don’t you think? Sorry. I’m thinking out loud here. If I give myself 7% chance of being Woody Allen neurotic, I’ll be more likely to achieve up to 93% and not give up.
I hope you’ll enjoy the book. OCD Darcy is more neurotic than me, but Lizzy is way more audacious and free-spirited than me also. As a couple, they balance each other out very much with their quirkiness.
Congrats on the nom! I just moved your book to”next” on my TBR list, all the great comments make me excited to read CMD:) I may not ever win 1st place, but I FEEL fabulous when I complete a marathon or 1/2 marathon. I’m on my way to vote……
Bev,
You are FABULOUS for completing marathons. You should be proud.
(That’s on my bucket list.)
Thank you for the vote and the comment! I hope you, too, will enjoy the book. OCD Darcy is a runner in the book!
Congratulations first off! That is awesome
Can’t wait to read it!
As for me being brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous:
I am brilliant because I got my college degree in English Literature
And because I can pretty much self-teach myself anything, including learning how to build websites 
I am gorgeous because I am ME. I am never somebody else and that makes me gorgeous no matter what!
I am talented because I can sing, dance, be a single stay at home mom, take care of a disabled child, be on the Board of Directors of the Williams Syndrome Family of Hope (my daughter has Williams Syndrome) which is a nonprofit organization and we help families get things for their WS children who could not otherwise afford them
Plus I am also a Jeerleader for the Fort Wayne Derby Girls!
And I am fabulous for all of the above reasons but mostly I think anyone who loves Jane Austen MUST be fabulous and last but most importantly I am fabulous because I am a MOM first and foremost
Thank you for the contest! I love these Keep Calm quotes and would love to win the bag
Erika,
You should be proud of yourself and your accomplishments! Very inspiring comment! Thank you!
I love the many ways you are briliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous–most of all, because you are MOM first and foremost (I read this in the middle of my crazy day and it put a smile on my face).
Is your daughter musical? I understand William Syndrome children, besides being very sociable and happy–it’s a joy to be with them–tend to have an affinity for music.
Good luck! I, too, love those ‘Keep Calm’ quotes.
Congratulations on the (well-deserved) nomination, and I just voted for you!
Now, for the ways I am brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous… I think I’m a bit like Jane Austen — not really one to toot my own horn! But I try to think of myself in those terms and not compare myself to others. We’re all wonderful in our own ways!
Thank you, Susan!
We are all wonderful in our own ways. Amen. The rest of Williamson’s quote includes that very message–how our claiming our light doesn’t diminish or taking away from someone’s else glory. I love that.
Smooches and hugs to you all. I promise to reply to each comment (LOVE that part) Sunday. Today, I’m being a brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous MOM by hosting a party for 60 teenagers.
Supposedly, amongst other things, I’m supposed to have/serve 8 lbs of cheese and 4 lbs of crackers, 2 dinner plates each, 2 dessert plates, 3 forks….
My biggest fear is a group of starving teenage boys staring at me with the Oliver-Twist eyes, and I have no more food.
60 teenage boys
Um…you DEFINTELY qualify for fabulous. Good heavens. I’d be falling on my sword. Here’s hoping that they get enough food and just so you know, they aren’t staring because they’re hungry…it’s because you’re brilliant, gorgeous, talented AND fabulous. 
*Stephanie mumbling to self…60 boys…hari kari…good heavens…*
LOL! Stephanie.
Hari kari is right. It wasn’t all 60 boys though. It was a mixed party and a few didn’t show, so I had leftovers.
I learned a few things about event planning–do not waste time making your veggie trays visually pleasing and appealing. In fact, do NOT waste time making veggie trays. They never touched a veggie. (What was I thinking!)
Meat. Lots and lots of meat. That’s what they wanted.
I’m utterly exhausted it has taken me to today–Monday, to have a coherent brain cell or two to reply to comments here.
Beautifully written piece, great quote, and congratulations on your nomination! Well done. You’ve clearly written an excellent story, but in addition, how wonderful that it’s raising the profile of Austen-inspired works!
I’m off to vote…
Thank you, Cassie,
You’re right! I am very proud that it would raise the profile of an Austen-inspired work! To have an Austen-inspired novel be on that list makes me dance–in fact, it inspired me to enroll in my first ballet class!
Thanks for the vote!
I have just voted for your book. I hope you win, Nina and good luck!
I can sing, play the piano, write book reviews and good at the computer and that’s why I’m brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous.
Luthien,
You are indeed brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous!
I can’t sing, play the piano or write book reviews! I’m very impressed!
But, I’m determined to conquer my computer this year (I upgraded my operating system, signed up for a new email client etc… ) Small steps…
I too am brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous =) in fact, I even Posted It HERE using that same quote as the foundational thought… hope to see you checking it out =)) !! Thanks for the inspy & Best for the voting !!
I did check out your blog! How wonderful that you had the same quote on your blog almost two years ago!
I got sidetracked checking all the cool links on your blog–and I’m very tempted with the Scottish challenge. I have a few Scottish books (mostly non-fiction) on my bookshelf waiting TBR. Hmmm…. sigh. That’s the thing with being a writer and a fab Mom–less time to read (except the tabloids).
I’m very tempted…
I visited Scotland year before last. Loved it! Couldn’t get the family to eat Haggis though.
Congrats on being nominated for Best Book. I read it and loved Compulsively Mr. Darcy! You are fabulous!
LilMissMolly!
You are fabulous yourself for your comment (and your name!). Thank you!
As you can only vote once and I voted a while ago already I could only go and check your position. You´re 5 th at the moment! People, go vote!!
Being fabulous. I heard a great sermon in church last sunday about words and the way they effect us. And one point was about not being too perfect. Not having to be better, faster, smarter all the time. I´m fabulous and wonderful just the way I am!
Katrin,
Hahahha! Actually, that’s the one thing everyone tells me in real life–’Can I vote more than once?’ which makes me laugh and honored. Thank you for the vote!
5th eh? Oooh, I have to hustle some more nearest and dearest. Darn, got to try to remember my FB password! Changed it recently.
You go girl!!! Congrats. I read Compulsively Mr. Darcy and loved it.
Karana,
Smooches to you! Thank you!
Congratulations Nina! My goodness, you deserve to shine in that light!
Thank you, Jane.
I personally think Suzanne Collins and all those authors don’t need anymore notice to shine, it’s my and an Austenesque novel turn!
(Though, I admit, if I could get just a 1/100th of Collins’ royalty, I’d be happy to give the prize to someone else!)
Nina, you have always awed me in so many ways, be it with your writing, your friendship, or your ever-encouraging zest for life. You deserve every bit of notoriety that comes your way because you’re brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous! (Now, get out there and wipe the floor with that Collins gal!)
Susan!
Thank you, my dear friend, for your words. Zest, fear–same thing. Gotta to conquer–one neurosis at a time.
I’m taking ballet class, did I tell you? Soon, I’m going to sign up for chick-wrestling (George Cooney’s current girlfriend was a wrestler!) and then I’ll let you know how I can wipe the floor with Collins or anybody else who’s game.
You didn’t tell me, but that’s incredible! (But you do realize that the most prominent image of you in my head right now is you wrestling with George Clooney!)
Congrats! I went and voted and didn’t know any of the other authors except of course ‘Collins’ and Kristen Hannah.
As to being brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous, I always try to look on the positive side of life. Life is what you make of it and taking responsibility for your actions. With my husband, we have raised two confident amazing children who are now adults. I’m also pretty good at kayaking and devouring Jane Austen inspired books! Keep them coming!
Carole,
I love your attitude, especially your second sentence. Congratulations on your children! (With a mother with such attitude, how could they not be?…)
Kayaking? I tried it once on a beautiful bay in Alaska, and it was magical–after I learned to let go of my fear of water and become one with the kayak.
Why I’m brilliant, etc.: I can type and proofread. I love to read and watch game shows (which improve my mind). I love my cats.
Michelle,
You are BRILLIANT indeed if you can proofread. (Kinda dangerous to admit that to an author–you might be roped into proofreading!)
Game shows! I took my kids recently to see ‘Wheel of Fortune’— it was a blast. Have you seen it in person? Pat and Vanna were so good they could do the show with their eyes closed (I thought Pat had his eyes closed once or twice). Vanna looked great.
Best of all, I love your last reason! I am Mom to two kitties who follow me around everywhere, and they’re the reason I don’t get to my computer as often my agent wants.
Thanks for commenting.
Congratulations, Nina, on all your success.
Thanks, Regina!
It is a success to be here on Austen Authors with an amazing group of authors.
I was battered and beaten on Valentine Day with the flu, but my Valentine Husband picked a random number and the winner is:
Erika
Please contact me by 2/24 for arrangements (address etc) to claim your prize by clicking my name on the Author list and you’d see a link on how to contact me.