empower – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

Today we celebrate the 10th International Day of the Girl. This day was created to draw attention to the challenges that girls face around the globe. Female children face particular problems dealing with their physical and mental health, accessing education, and experiencing violence throughout their lives. Specially challenged girls face additional obstacles to accessing services and support.

I find it sad that any group of people has to have a special day to draw attention to the lack of basic respect and regard which they face just because of their sex, age, race, color, or whatever else they may be judged on. Shouldn’t humanity have evolved past that by now?

I also wonder how effective these special days are, if the message is directed to those who are comfortable with the status quo? To those who feel that there are others who do not need or deserve healthcare, a proper education, opportunities for employment, or even personal protection and security.

I believe the answer lies in empowering those who are exploited, abused, or treated as less valuable than others – supporting them and encouraging them in this regard.

This morning I caught a clip on our morning news show. A number of young women were asked the question “What empowers you?”. The answers ranged from “Being a woman”, “being a mother”, “my friends and family” to “my education” and “my career”.

It has taken me sixty seven years to decide that my answer to that question would be “What empowers me is being pro-active and in taking responsibility for myself – for the choices I make, the actions I take, my own mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.” That has empowered me more than anything and coming to this conclusion has not been easy. I grew up at a time, in a place, in a family where success meant finding and marrying a good man to take care of me. 🤦 I do not blame anyone. That was just the mindset. But it was not a mindset that would serve anyone well. I can’t think of anything that would be more disempowering for anyone – than to be taught that anyone needs to rely on anyone else to ‘take care of them’ – for their entire lifetime no less.

My question for the day – What empowers you? I would really appreciate your answers to this one. I have ten grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Your answers will no doubt help me to help them develop their own power – as women AND men.