10 unpopular truths about empowerment
10 unpopular truths about empowerment, and what to do instead
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1, Empowerment isn’t “rainbows and unicorns”
Empowerment is very much about making informed and educated choices consistently, empowerment is often about making friends with facts and facing ourselves. Of course when we do these things we can get to a “rainbows and unicorns” vibe but the path to get there requires us to be honest with ourselves, and to grow.
2, Empowered or entitled?
Empowerment, self-empowerment as I’ve said is very much about facing uncomfortable realisations and making some difficult decisions even. Believing that we deserve better without putting the effort in will lead nowhere. Of course our belief system,programming and inner dialogue has a whole lot to do with our empowerment process, but we must talk the talk and walk the walk.
3, Self-empowerment comes from a place of authenticity and accountability.
We must take full responsibility for our lives, our actions and habits. There is no other way.
4, Being the “lone wolf” isn’t necessary the best thing one can do to get to empowerment
What I mean by that is this: Being a lone wolf, needing no one, can be a trauma adaptation. Seeking help, knowing our limits and areas of improvement are important steps. Seeking help, seeking extra knowledge and looking into others' success stories is healthy and useful. In the end we’ll need to make those our own anyway in order for them to work.
5, Practice doesn't make perfect, Practice makes improvement
Forget about perfection, instead focus on making small persistent changes and improvements. Focus on making better choices and keep yourself, your dreams and goals in sight. Trust the process. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was built every single day.”
6, Empowerment is not just for the individual
Meaning that empowerment is also for the collective, and yes, we can contribute to the collective’s empowerment by working on ourselves, there is no other way. When we walk, when we get ahead on our own path, it is important to look back and extend our hand to elevate others. We are all better off when we are all better, when more of us succeed, when more of us can live more empowered, embodied and connected lives.
7, Empowerment is powered by self-reflection.
We must take time to reflect upon our own journey, we have to understand our own challenges, biases and privileges in order to grow in a healthy and sustainable way. Reflecting not in judgement and hash criticism but in acceptance and understanding.
8, Last stop Empowerment, end of the line?
No, not at all, because it is a process of growth, learning and improvement. It is ongoing and when done well is very rewarding. But it is in no way the end of the line.
9, True empowerment needs no vulgarity, cruelty and savagery
True empowerment understands suffering, it understands overcoming it, and what it takes. True empowerment understands healing and extending grace. True empowerment might speak words of deeper meaning or it can lay down hard facts, but true empowerment speaks without hate, judgement and blame.
10, True authentic empowerment knows vulnerability and kindness
Sometimes we need tough love, sometimes we need to hear hard truths… But all this can be delivered with kindness, and in genuine deep connection. Being gentle, kind and vulnerable means that we can make deep and meaningful connections, that we can be there for others, and we can allow others to be there for us.
Life is a lonely journey because almost everything happens inside of us anyway, we must fight through the birth canal alone, and we must exhale our last breath alone too… Even when others are present at our birth or death. So let’s do our best to make connections with those who are safe, kind and loving in our lives, it is indeed empowering.
