What does empowerment mean to you?
This is a question I have found myself being asked quite a bit lately. So, I came up with an answer.
Empowerment. Defined by the World English Dictionary as 1. to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize 2. to give ability to; enable or permit Okay, sure. But that sounds so lifeless for a word that is so full of passion and strength. What does empowerment mean to you? This is a question I have found myself being asked quite a bit lately. So, I came up with an answer. Empowerment has been an integral part of my life’s journey over the past several years. For me, it has meant following the path I knew was right for me without the need for approval from others. To push through with courage no matter how frightening or impossible it seemed, because I knew in my core it was right. It has allowed me to create a life that is built around who I am, instead of having to try and mold myself to a life that someone else has built for me. It's about being able to be my true self in any situation, being confident in my abilities and passions, and about standing in my own power, that I created for myself. Forging my own path. Above all else, being empowered is knowing that I always have the ability to choose how I react to anything. That's something that can never be taken from anyone.
When a person is empowered, no one else can take away their power because no one else has given it to them - rather they have given it to themselves.
Empowerment is courage. Empowerment is freedom. Empowerment is authenticity. It's about living in the moment, creating your own path, and creating your own love and happiness. Empowerment is liberating, exhilarating, and intoxicating. It brings you out of hiding, out of the darkness, into the light and fresh air.
Being empowered feels like soaring, like the sun on your face, and the wind in your hair. You feel unstoppable and invincible. Powerful. Powerful in the way that's real, that's almost tangible, and pure. You have power over the one person only you should – yourself.
The power to choose, the power to be, the power to feel. The power to be able to be the person you came here to be. No chains, no boundaries on who you are or what you can be or do. Finding empowerment for me was like stepping off of a cliff, with the knowing and faith in my heart that not only did I have wings, but they would open, and they would catch the wind and be strong enough to carry me, and I would soar all on my own. I didn’t need anyone else’s wings. Only mine.
Empowerment. What does it mean to you?
From the desk of Neelou Saleh Spirit of Lotus
