Dustin Coleman

12/3/07

English 112B

Dr. Warner

 

Unit Plan

Inspirational: Marianne Williamson

 

            Inspiration can spark the imagination to create and fulfill dreams never thought possible. William Shakespeare, Beethoven, Picasso, and Michael Jordan were all inspired to strive to be the best and accomplish something that has never been done before; their inspiration, along with their drive is what makes them great. Presently, people have made an occupation out of inspiring others, somewhat like a muse, in order to provoke emotion in others. Inspirational speeches can inspire students to graduate high school, to fulfill impossible dreams, and even to encourage men and woman to go to war. Speeches such as these, when placed in the correct setting, can be very beneficial to those who are lost and need guidance in life.

            The inspirational speech I would like to focus on is ÒOur Deepest FearÓ, written by Marianne Williamson. This speech is often mistaken to have been created by Nelson Mandela, because he used the work in one of his Inaugural Speech in 1994. Williamson is an award winning author and lecturer. Her speech was influential enough to be depicted in the movie Coach Carter, a movie about a group of basketball players learning to play like a team. After listening and reading the speech, I was inspired to become a positive influence in my community and I thought it would be a great thing to share to others.

 

 

 

 

Our Deepest Fear

By: Marianne Williamson

 

ÒOur 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's not just in some of us; it's 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.Ó

 By Marianne Williamson

From A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

 

Unit Plan

  1. Watch clip of Coach Carter
  2. Discuss particular lines from WilliamsonÕs speech
    1. ÒOur deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.Ó

                                               i.     Why would we be afraid of our potential?

                                             ii.     Potential to succeed vs. potential to fail

                                            iii.     Are we afraid to grow up?

                                            iv.     Why would people be afraid to fulfill dreams?

    1. ÒWe are all meant to shine, as children do.Ó

                                               i.     What are the positive qualities we can find in children that we cannot find in adults?

                                             ii.     Are children afraid to fail?

    1. ÒAs we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.Ó

                                               i.     How do you feel when you are surrounded by confident people?

                                             ii.     Can we believe in others and provide advice if we do not believe in ourselves?

Extending the Unit

1)    Discuss what inspires you at this time? What are your current dreams and aspirations? What are you doing to fulfill those dreams?

2)    After hearing WilliamsonÕs speech, how does it make you feel? Do you think speeches are an effective way to inspire people?

 

Work Cited

Williamson, Marianne- http://marianne.com/book/index.htm

Coach Carter-Paramount Pictures.