|
Power
= Choice
=
Freedom Self-empowerment
is
the 'door' to freedom; the 'key'
to that door is choice.
It
may be difficult to see how
empowering our self through
our choices
can
lead to freedom, but it’s true. Often we
believe we have no choice, but
as I’ve said before, there
is always a choice
in
everything we do. We may not
like the choice, but it’s
always there. Through our
choices, we discover
more
about our self and our powero
change. With that discovery,
our life changes. We are in
control.
What
do we choose? Why do we choose
what we choose? How do we
choose? Who do we choose to
be? What do we choose to stand
for? What values do we choose
to fight for?
These
are valid questions to ask our
self. The answers will assist
us in knowing more about our
self. They will determine the
type of person we are at
present, as well as whom we
wish to become. We have the
power to be whomever we choose
and we are always free to
change our mind about that
person whenever we desire.
If,
in answering the above
questions we discover some
aspect of our personality or
value system that we are less
than pleased with, we can
always make the choice to
change. We have that choice.
Our choices set in motion the
process of transformation…
of our self and our life
Many
people do not believe we are
capable of change. When my
eldest daughter’s university
class discussed personalities,
one of the other students said
it was impossible for a person
to change. He said everyone begins life
with a certain personality and
this is maintained for the
rest of his or her life. My
daughter spoke up,
“That isn’t true, because
my mother has changed!”
Self-empowerment
is
learning to feel good about
who we are. We
are free to utilize the power
of choice consciously and
appropriately in all life
situations. This
frequently makes some other
people feel uncomfortable
and/or threatened. They
recognize the power that lies
within us.
We
can make a choice to behave in
self-empowering
ways
by refusing to compromise our
values. For instance, if we
value equality, we can choose
to stand up for women and
members of sexual, racial or
ethnic minorities, demanding
equal opportunities for them.
We can choose not to allow
other people's bigotry or
violence to go unchallenged.
Another
way we can utilize
self-empowerment
is
to channel anger at government
inaction through lobbying and
direct political action. These
are wonderful examples of
transforming powerlessness
into self-empowerment, and there are many more.
I
don’t know what hardships
you’ve endured in your life.
I don’t know what you are
going through right now.
However, I’m guessing you
wouldn’t be reading this if
everything in your life were
rosy.
If
you are feeling powerless,
make the choice to change your
life and empower your
self. You have to start
somewhere and the first step
is to decide whether you are
the person you want to be and
whether you’re living the
life you desire right now.
If
not, why not? What sort of
person do you wish you were?
What do you want to change?
What do you want to do in this
world? What mark do you choose
to leave?
Ask
your self these questions and
those presented earlier in
this chapter. If you truly
want a different life, then make
that choice
and
start changing it.
Placing
this book under your pillow
will do absolutely nothing for
you. Unfortunately, you
can’t change
through
osmosis! Nobody can do this
except you. So if you’re
feeling powerless, take
responsibility for your life
and try some of the Joy Maker
Tools I have used. Very soon,
you will be on your way to
empowering your self.
Choice
determines the level of
freedom we experience in our
life. We can choose whatever
brings more joy into
our life; whatever makes us
laugh; whatever makes our
heart sing.
Remember,
procrastination
can
be one of the biggest Joy
Takers
of
them all. Don’t get
sidetracked. Don’t put this
book down and forget about it.
There is nothing more
important than experiencing
all that there is to
experience in this life. What
are you waiting for? Do a Dialogue
and
find out!
[Authors
Note: A Dialogue is one of the
Joy Maker Tools available in
my book.] |
