Empowerment On Your Own Terms
Empowerment is a loaded word. It’s worth describing it to better understand what we’re trying to live up to.
How do you picture an empowered person? I used to visualize a ‘superwoman’ all suited up on the top of the corporate ladder, while being on top of her personal matters with a supportive and loving partner, A-list kids, fit, joyous, healthy, adventurous, comfortable financially, loyal friends.. and on and on and on!
The description I was trying to live up to at some point is a trap of multiple standards that I had set for myself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to elevate one’s own experience, but it is worth questioning our capacity, and also where we get our ideas on fulfillment from.
I remember awakening to the fact that I was walking a prescribed and linear path that I was not ready for at certain points. I was not ready to leave to university so young, I wasn’t even sure of what I wanted to study back then. I wasn’t ready to marry when I had, etc.
Now one can argue that we’re never truly ready for such large life transitions, but how much of that boils down to blindly surrendering to and following society’s expectations versus developing a sense of self that is rooted in examined truths?
So let’s redefine Empowerment on your own terms. First, take 10 deep breaths with your eyes closed before answering these questions. Connect with your breath by placing your attention on it, and begin:
a) What does empowerment mean to you?
b) Where did that idea come from? Family, culture, society, religion, patriarchy, capitalism?
c) How would you like to feel?
d) What kind of life is aligned with the way that you want to feel? What actions do you see yourself taking?
e) What capacity and personal energy can you direct towards your responsibilities?
f) Do you like to move slow, or fast?
g) How can you balance independence and interdependence?
h) What is perhaps a new definition of empowerment that is closer to your nature? One that you would like to replace the current paradigm with?
Once again, reflection without action keeps you floating. Identify one action step towards living and being more authentic, based on the responses and feelings that were unearthed in this exercise.