With so much talk of "empowerment" these days, it is easy to
focus on ourselves, isn't it? We make our bodies stronger by working out, we make our interactions with others more vital by talking over one another to be heard. We interview for the best jobs-even though we don't actually want to work. I know the "shadow of empowerment" is at a party, when the volume swells and no one is getting a point across!
I actually believe empowerment is a word to be used for the well-being of others. Hmmm? Yes! Strong people gain so much from making others stronger. Now I am surely not some mealy-mouthed pushover when it comes to being heard, but for instance, I have a very dear friend-more like spouse-who I have vowed never to interrupt while he is speaking. He has vowed the same to me. I did not know if it was going to work because we often have opposing views about the same subject, and we both are loquacious as hell! But, because we have "empowered" each other on this very personal level, our relationship is much more invigorating and positive. He lets me finish a sentence, sits quietly for a moment-actually absorbing what I have said-and THEN he responds...whoa! What a treasure that is to me, to actually feel heard! I feel empowered by his actions, and I know he feels the same way.
You see, giving over some of your power is a prerequisite to "empowering" someone else. Giving over the power of knowing the outcome, of having the upper hand, of being in control-those all have to fade a bit in order to give someone else the strength they need in order to prosper.
When we say we want to "empower" young girls and boys-a very popular desire right now-how often do we listen to them? If we want to empower our neighbors from third world countries-how often do we actually travel there and fulfill their needs? Me? No! I would much rather stay here in the States and throw money after that "empowerment" issue over there! It is too dangerous!
I only say this to shake you out of your comfort zone of natural complacency. My dear friend, you EMPOWER OTHERS by sacrificing something of yourself. That is really the bottom line. You are strong enough to share your power with someone in need, don't you think? I know many very strong people who have enough to share~without this giving quality, we will never make it past the global trends of warfare, famine and pillaging of the earth.
So my plan is to actually go to Sudan, give of myself and trust that I am enough. It is taking a toll on my family, and some of my friends don't understand why I would want to risk my life to go. But I will tell you a little story that a wiseman once told his pupil...
"Once, there were 3 moths flying very near a flame. One moth was very afraid of the flame, and could not make itself go near enough to truly enjoy the bright warmth it gave. The second moth was so attracted to the flame that it flew too close; singeing its wings and then flying off to heal its wounds...but the third moth gathered all its strength, and flew directly into the flame allowing itself to be consumed completely. And as the other moths looked on, out of the ashes of that moth came the most beautiful Phoenix anyone had ever seen! Its wings were aflame with the passion and energy of the fire, it rose over the earth and filled the sky with the richest colors; some say it created the first rainbow."
And the wiseman told his pupil, "Here is the lesson of this Phoenix Tale. There are those who refuse to commit to life, there are those who flit around the edges of life and end up being discouraged or even hurt physically and emotionally by their failure to fully commit. Then there are those who run into life wholeheartedly and are transformed into incredible beings. Yes, there is pain in life, but a pain-free journey was never promised to any of us."
Now my question is, which moth are you?
I actually believe empowerment is a word to be used for the well-being of others. Hmmm? Yes! Strong people gain so much from making others stronger. Now I am surely not some mealy-mouthed pushover when it comes to being heard, but for instance, I have a very dear friend-more like spouse-who I have vowed never to interrupt while he is speaking. He has vowed the same to me. I did not know if it was going to work because we often have opposing views about the same subject, and we both are loquacious as hell! But, because we have "empowered" each other on this very personal level, our relationship is much more invigorating and positive. He lets me finish a sentence, sits quietly for a moment-actually absorbing what I have said-and THEN he responds...whoa! What a treasure that is to me, to actually feel heard! I feel empowered by his actions, and I know he feels the same way.
You see, giving over some of your power is a prerequisite to "empowering" someone else. Giving over the power of knowing the outcome, of having the upper hand, of being in control-those all have to fade a bit in order to give someone else the strength they need in order to prosper.
When we say we want to "empower" young girls and boys-a very popular desire right now-how often do we listen to them? If we want to empower our neighbors from third world countries-how often do we actually travel there and fulfill their needs? Me? No! I would much rather stay here in the States and throw money after that "empowerment" issue over there! It is too dangerous!
I only say this to shake you out of your comfort zone of natural complacency. My dear friend, you EMPOWER OTHERS by sacrificing something of yourself. That is really the bottom line. You are strong enough to share your power with someone in need, don't you think? I know many very strong people who have enough to share~without this giving quality, we will never make it past the global trends of warfare, famine and pillaging of the earth.
So my plan is to actually go to Sudan, give of myself and trust that I am enough. It is taking a toll on my family, and some of my friends don't understand why I would want to risk my life to go. But I will tell you a little story that a wiseman once told his pupil...
"Once, there were 3 moths flying very near a flame. One moth was very afraid of the flame, and could not make itself go near enough to truly enjoy the bright warmth it gave. The second moth was so attracted to the flame that it flew too close; singeing its wings and then flying off to heal its wounds...but the third moth gathered all its strength, and flew directly into the flame allowing itself to be consumed completely. And as the other moths looked on, out of the ashes of that moth came the most beautiful Phoenix anyone had ever seen! Its wings were aflame with the passion and energy of the fire, it rose over the earth and filled the sky with the richest colors; some say it created the first rainbow."
And the wiseman told his pupil, "Here is the lesson of this Phoenix Tale. There are those who refuse to commit to life, there are those who flit around the edges of life and end up being discouraged or even hurt physically and emotionally by their failure to fully commit. Then there are those who run into life wholeheartedly and are transformed into incredible beings. Yes, there is pain in life, but a pain-free journey was never promised to any of us."
Now my question is, which moth are you?
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