Empowerment Theory Revisited: I am deserving!

Regardless if it's non-profit social change movement building work or individual or group social work or theraputic work, we often here the words empowerment and self-empowerment used over and over again. 

I use them, when people ask what is my passion I often state "empowering people to create the lives, communities, and world they desire to live in. Or we will here someone say, "our work is all about self-empowerment", or "empowering commmunities to advocate for themselves". 

More and more as I look at "social change or movement building work" I have begun to ask myself what does that mean? When I catch myself or others using these words I often want to follow-up with what does that look like? 

Very often people can run down their never ending list of programs, initiatives, or trainings, but rarely have I encountered people who can actually paint a picture of how they guide individuals or groups to empowerment. I have come to recognize the the reason why most who work in these spaces aren't able to communicate the how or what around empowerment is because empowerment doesn't come from a program, initiative or training. 

Empowerment comes from the self-realization the I or We are deserving and worthy of............. It is in the moment of our internal recognition that because of our very existence on this earth we are deserving and worthy. 

Yes, the tools or opportunities that come often via programs, initiatives, or trainings can help ignite this realization; but it is the internal reflection and exploration that fosters true self-empowerment. 

This sparked in my mind today as I had a very special encounter with a very special soul that reminded me that I am deserving and I am worthy as they acknoweldged their recognition that they are deserving of all the goodness and greatness life has to offer. This has challenged me to begin to re-think how I engage with individuals and communities around empowerment and social movement building. 

It's not about my program or training, it's about fostering the inner recognition that individually and collectivelly we are deserving and worthy. 

Despite life circumstances, past experiences, race, creed, color, sexual orientation......., your very existence on this earth claims your birth right to whatever it is you desire in life. Representation, clearn water, violent free communities, equality, love and the opportunity for long life, the list is infinite.WHATEVER!!!!! 

Thank you Sir for the reminder and reflection. 

 We are worthy and most definitly deserving!