empowerment - noun

- authority or power given to someone to do something."individuals are given empowerment to create their own dwellings"
- the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one's rights.

I used to watch empowered people with such envy. I so desperately wanted what they had. I would sit in my dark corner of the world and watch all of these confident people walking by in all their strength and wonder what was wrong with me. They had the courage to walk in their truth and the power to create magic in their life and I so desperately wanted that. I would follow blogs, read books and listen to people speak about how they found their purpose and power. I tried so many different avenues. I would see someone who had found their truth and then go into mode to do all the things that they had done with the hope that I would find my inner fire where they had found theirs. I went down so many rabbit holes only to come out feeling even more confused and unsure of myself.

The problem was this: I had no idea who the fuck I was. I didn't have a relationship with myself. I didn't know what I wanted. I had spent so many years blocking out the sound of my heart that I no longer recognized its sound.

After years of following others, I decided to that my feet needed to pave their own way. I sat down one day and asked myself a few simple questions, questions that then took me years to answer.

What do you want?
What sets your soul on fire?
What do you love?
What is your truth?
What do you want to create?

The thing is, you can't manifest what you don't ask for and you can't ask for what you don't know you want. Empowerment comes from within and it bubbles up from the heart of us. There's no faking that shit. You either have it or you don't.

We all have the power we need. It's there! We just have to dig it up.

Sit alone somewhere where you feel safe. Let go for a moment- let go of all the expectations you've been carrying around. Let go of the world's judgments of you. Let go of the fear of what people would think if they knew your truth. Let go of the need to be perfect and just feel. In this moment, be real with yourself. Stop letting your mind break your heart.

Let your truth find its way to the surface.
That truth is your power.

Empowerment, strength, magic, courage, purpose...those things are our birthright. So many of us had those things stolen from us as children and we didn't know how to get them back. Be patient with yourself. Undoing years of programming and fear don't happen overnight.

Don't give up!

I promise you this, the empowerment and purpose you've been seeking has been there waiting for you. Don't let this crazy world keep you so busy that you miss it. Take time. Make the effort. Set intentions and stick with them. Create sacred space where you can hear. Dig it up, baby! Reach out and grab your power!

- Brooke Hampton

Originally published on The Nabalo Lifestyle