What is the most empowering thing you have ever done?

Answer 1

A year and a half ago, I looked at my life.

I had broken a promise to myself (lost my virginity) with someone who treated me badly and had virtually cast me away, I had failed a college course, and I was about 50 lbs heavier than I should have been- I laid in bed, wallowing in my own sorrow, gripping a copy of "Valley of the Dolls" in one hand and a spoon full of ice cream in the other, being overly dramatic and sobbing openly on a daily basis...

That is, until I realized that everyone makes mistakes, and surely, from this I was not exempt. Right then, I forgave myself. I got out of bed, quit crying over my break-up and the bitter loss of my virginity, recommitted myself to my academics, and renovated my diet & fitness program.

I completely recovered emotionally from the separation from my ex-boyfriend and sense of purity, I earned straight As in college for the first time, and I lost 55 lbs. Even though I have wonderful family & friends who always have supported me, I kept in touch very lightly with them during this time, not to be rude, but because I needed to be by myself.

And I was- I was very happily alone. No boyfriends or date mates, no tutors or scholastic support systems, no personal trainers or registered dieticians. I accomplished what I needed to in order to not only fullfill the specific goals themselves, but also, to find myself.

I matured, I grew, and I reinvented myself. I emerged INFINITELY better than the person I was before, because for the first time, I had thought of myself as being worthy enough of my own time, care, and devotion. I allowed old emotional wounds to heal, and the scars they left, I acknowledged and came to accept.

This is the period of my life I believe I will always look back on most fondly, as it was the time in which I came to know the very best of myself. To even think of it now, the surge of empowerment I feel is indescribable.

Answer 2

Deciding to have children...............and doing so..............

The most life changing and empowering experience for me was creating another life and being a mother...................

The fact that my life was at risk with both pregnancies and births does not count.............what really counts is that l have had the opportunity to nurture another life which was completely dependant on me and the responsibility was/is huge.

My boys are now 18 and 21 years old. The parenting skills l have developed, which never came naturally have been a platform for lifew in how l care for myself and others who are not only close to me, but human beings who l met, meet and will continue to meet until the day l die.

I can honestly say l love my life, even the tough time (believe me there have been many) have strengthened me and built my character. I have no regrets in breaking the chains from my childhood, recovering from childhood sexual abuse and learing to discover the real me along the way. Without all of my life experiences, l wouldnt be able to enjoy the emotional freedom l now have today.

There is a loving heart in most people, finding it is the journey........................

Answer 3

Empower myself, through changing the way I approach life.

Answer 4

Went to Model OAS last week. It's like Model UN, but only deals with the Organization of American States, which encompasses all of North and South America. I spoke for several resolutions, against even more, asked countless questions, signed two petitions, and helped write resolutions and amendments. It felt so good to be there because my suggestions were appreciated and integrated into our solutions, and my opinion was valid to an entire group of people of whom I only knew about 1/6 prior to the debates. :D I'm officially addicted.

Answer 5

Stopped smoking.

Also on the short list: doing a degree in my late thirties, leaving my first husband, setting up my own business, but even though it's over 20 years since I kicked the weed, I'm so much fitter now (and richer!) it has to be top of the list

Answer 6

Get my education at Uni. Working in grad school now. It is liberating, empowering, and loads of fun for me!
CJ

Answer 7

Told my oldest sister to shut up and leave me alone and I also blocked out her name from my mailing list. For over 55 years, my sister was extremely mentally abusive. She told me everyone hated me, that everyone hated my children, and that I was lazy and good for nothing. Although, I had always worked and earned more money than her, she made things up. The time came and I blew and told her she needed a shrink to get over her compulsive behaviors. Two years later, she died. The thing was that I had mourned her death when we had the last argument. I never cried when she died/

Answer 8

Wining the third place at my first Wushu Nationals.I wasn't hoping for a place on the podium but I worked hard.That really surprised me but now I,m going to work eve harder cause I want the first place next year.

Answer 9

Knocked someone clean out with a single punch, man I felt like King-Kong. The stitches on my knuckles were a bit of a bummer though......

Answer 10

I spoke at a Seminar in front of 250 people.
Always terrified of public speaking until then. Now I'm not afraid of anything.