By Wintress Patrice, Certified NLP Life Coach
Alice Walker, renowned author and social activist, once said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” These words encapsulate a profound truth about human nature, which also stands at the heart of my journey towards self-discovery, self-love, and personal empowerment. My journey has proven that we all possess inherent power – the power to shape our lives, beliefs, and our destiny, but we often remain unaware of it, hence relinquishing control over our lives to external circumstances.
Personal power is not about exerting control over others or having dominion over resources. Instead, it is about understanding and embracing our capacity to make choices, influence our perceptions, and take control of our thoughts and emotions. It is about being able to navigate the ebbs and flows of life with resilience and grace, responding to life’s adversities with courage and optimism, and, most importantly, maintaining a deep, unwavering belief in our inherent worth.
Our power is deeply intertwined with our sense of self – our self-esteem, self-love, self-acceptance, and self-forgiveness. It is from this sense of self that we derive our power, and this power, in turn, guides us towards a life of authenticity, joy, and fulfillment.
My journey to discovering my personal power wasn’t linear. It was marked with numerous obstacles, self-doubt, and even moments of despair. For years, I saw myself through a distorted lens, unconsciously allowing my flaws and past mistakes to define me, thus denying myself the love, acceptance, and forgiveness that I freely offered to others. This resulted in me living a life that was out of alignment with my true potential and desires.
The realization that I was giving up my power by not acknowledging it was a pivotal moment in my life. It initiated the process of profound transformation, leading me on the path of self-love and acceptance. It demanded a change in my perceptions, beliefs, and how I chose to respond to my internal and external world.
The first step was self-forgiveness. I had to let go of the resentment and guilt I held for my past mistakes and misjudgments. Self-forgiveness is not about denying or belittling our mistakes; instead, it’s about acknowledging them, learning from them, and choosing not to let them dictate our present and future. This was a crucial step in reclaiming my power as it allowed me to liberate myself from the chains of my past and enabled me to pave the way for self-love and acceptance.
Self-love followed self-forgiveness. It involved recognizing my intrinsic worth and cultivating kindness and compassion towards myself. It meant acknowledging my strengths and virtues, cherishing them, and also accepting my flaws as parts of my human-ness. This acceptance laid the foundation for my self-esteem and confidence, thereby igniting the spark of my personal power.
The journey culminated with self-acceptance. Accepting ourselves involves embracing our entirety – our strengths, weaknesses, successes, failures, aspirations, and fears. It requires us to be authentic and true to ourselves and to align our actions with our values and desires. When I fully accepted myself, I experienced a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. My sense of self became unshakeable, and I realized my power to create the life I desire.
Harnessing personal power through self-love, self-forgiveness, and self-acceptance is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing effort, practice, and conscious choices. It demands courage to face our vulnerabilities and resilience to overcome our challenges. But, it is a journey worth embarking upon.
In my journey, Alice Walker’s insightful words served as a guiding light, and I hope they illuminate your path as well. Remember, you have the power within you to shape your life and create your happiness. Don’t give it up by believing otherwise. Recognize it, own it, and use it to manifest your desires and aspirations. The journey to personal power begins with you.
