“Empowerment” is a word that actually has some ties to trauma for me. It’s been used as a buzzword and bastardized to the point where it’s a limitation rather than a true source of power.
I’ve been struggling with this a lot over the past couple of weeks. It didn’t help that a close friend of my husband’s died unexpectedly. Nothing hurts quite like seeing the person you love most in the world experiencing soul-crushing pain and not being able to do anything to help. All I could do was let my husband grieve, validate his grief, and remind him that I am here for whatever I can give.
So, empowerment.
What gives me power?
What is it that makes me feel like I can move mountains whenever I want to?
It’s being able to say, “Yes.”
Yes to taking rest when I need it.
Yes to helping people when it is within my abilities to do so.
Yes to knowing that I helped someone have a better day because I had the means, skills, or knowledge they needed.
Yes to being able to join communities and movements that are working to make the world a better place.
Yes to good results.
Yes to achievement, no matter what the size.
Yes to being good to myself without feeling guilt or shame.
Yes to being able to give my family good things and good experiences.
Yes to seeing that the world is not a zero-sum game, and we can all win.
Yes.