Modern Goddess Magazine

If you were to grab a dictionary and look up the word empower it would say something along the lines of to give power or authority or to enable or permit. This means that at the core of the word empower is the idea of power.

So what does power mean? This could mean many things and is based on the context it is being used. However some general thoughts would be to have control over others; someone exercising their authority; or to have the strength or force to do something. Power is often related to our ability to make others do what we want, regardless of their own wishes or interests (Weber, 1946).

For me, the definition of power means to have strength, resilience and the capability of doing or accomplishing something. Let me delve deeper… when I say strength I do not mean physical strength I’m actually referring to a person’s inner strength; their strength to move forward, to challenge themselves or to overcome obstacles in their life.

In my slogan I use the word ‘empowering’ and I used it because I am giving women the opportunity to learn skills and knowledge that will motivate or inspire them to improve their own lives.

Being empowered sometimes can be tough because when you’re empowered you are being true to yourself and doing the things that are right for you, at that time in your life.  It is about putting your own needs first so that you have the capacity to take care of others.  However this is often a struggle as women still put others needs ahead of their own.  Not only that, some family and friends may not be happy your new found empowerment and can be judgmental or critical which in turn can put pressure on you to go back to the way things were..

You also need to consider that being empowered to one person may mean something different to another person. If we look at different situations, an empowered woman from a western society may feel that she does not have to have children because that is what is expected of her. Whereas a woman in India, may feel empowered when she is given an opportunity to speak in a public meeting, which is comprised of men and women from different social and economic groups.

In general, being empowered means that the person understands that they are not powerless to make changes in their lives.

I asked a number of women the question “What does empowerment mean to you?” And I loved what they said:

‘… to be able to follow your own star with confidence and faith, and not be easily wavered by others…’

‘… being true to yourself and making decisions based on that…’

‘… empowerment needs to come from within’

As an empowered woman, you should understand that you are not powerless to make changes in your life.

I cannot make you be empowered; you need to look within to be empowered. As a Soul Coach and Facilitator, my role is to provide you with the opportunities, tools, resources and support so you can move forward in the way that suits you and your family.

So what does ‘being empowered’ mean to you?

Weber, M. (1946). From Max Weber. H.H. Gerth & C.W. Mills (Eds.). New York: Oxford University Press.