I’ve loved this video since the moment I saw it a few days ago. So far, I’ve watched it twice. Wait…make that three times.

This orphaned child, who was recently been adopted by an Italian family, makes his way onto the stage with Pope Francis—and then he refuses to leave.

Watch this:

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/10/30/tsr-moos-boy-wont-leave-popes-side.cnn.html

I’m the mother of an independently-minded toddler and I can personally attest to the reality that children have minds of their own—and thank goodness for that. This child—much like my own daughter—served as a reminder to me to let my inner light shine out brightly today—and every day—regardless of what other people might think.

“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 doesn’t serve the world. There’s 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’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~ Marianne Williamson.

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Ed: Bryonie Wise