health
A quick search on Wikipedia defines empowerment as “measures designed to increase the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities in order to enable them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority.”
This refers both to the process of becoming stronger and more confident in oneself, as well as the resources and professional support we can use from others to achieve this end of self-actualization and controlling one’s life.
More tangibly, what are some things we can do to empower ourselves? Here are some thoughts...
1. Taking stock and time for regular reflection –to me, keeping perspective is key. When we take time to acknowledge and reflect, we become aware of things that otherwise might elude us. We also see things for what they really are, in a much greater context. Ask yourself: What is happening? What do I notice? How major/critical/catastrophic is this in the big scheme of things?
2. Developing habits –our habits and choices affect us physically, emotionally, financially, socially… Are we making the best day-to-day decisions? Remember, good habits take time, and eventually develop into skill. A healthier you is the best gift you can give yourself and those around you. Colin Powell has been quoted to say: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”
3. Keeping a positive outlook –the greatest factor determining our happiness is not what happens to us but how we see the world. It is not so much about the circumstances, but rather about our outlook and dispositions. Have you heard about the Law of Attraction? “A positive attitude is not going to save you. What it’s going to do is, everyday, between now and the day you die, whether that’s a short time from now or a long time from now, that every day, you’re going to actually live.” Elizabeth Edwards quote from BrainyQuote.com “Your feelings are your greatest tools to help you create your life.” –Rhonda Byrne, quotefancy.com.
4. Avoiding comparisons –the new version of keeping up with the Joneses is comparing ourselves to other on social media. It has been documented over and over as a major cause for stress, depression, and more. Be yourself. Keep it real and simple. Be happy for your friends, but do not go overboard using a measuring stick every time you see others post news. Many times, the happy lives people brag about, are not.
5. Getting and giving help –as human beings, we help others, but we also need to feel okay about asking for help when we need it. Do not be afraid to ask for help, we are all a work in progress. Asking for help does not make us weak, it often makes us smart. “Humble people ask for help.” –Joyce Meyer
What more we can do to empower ourselves and live fulfilling lives?
self-education
I recently read an article which stated that we should only feel nostalgia for things which are no longer with us, and not feel "nostalgic" for the things that are, in fact, still around. If they are around, yes, but for some reason, they are not in our lives anymore, then we could feel "yestalgic". We feel yestalgia for the things still around but which we no longer use.
Well, I am not sure if the item below should be reason for my nostalgia or my yestalgia. The fact is, it used to be my pencil sharpener when I went to school --much like it also was a pencil sharpener for school children in Japan, where it is made. Today, however, the use of such an item at school would be unthinkable.
Is that nostalgia or yestalgia? How come it was never a problem to have it in my pencil case and sharpen my pencils with it when I was a child?
I owned a pencil sharpener similar to this one. We called it a "parrot beak pencil sharpener" because when you closed it, it was like a little parrot beak closing.
This is the same type, but fancier. It would probably be a great pocket knife to take while hiking or camping.