Personal Empowerment Is an Inside Job

I have been watching the Occupy Wall St. protests with much interest. Although I empathize with the participants and understand their plight, approaching change from a position of disempowerment is simply not effective. It may strengthen the very cause they rally against. Blaming others is low energy that moves in the opposite direction of where the group wants to be. In addition, it is likely to bring a higher level of discontent rather than the change they seek.

Personal empowerment is an inside job. It is something that each one of us must create for ourselves. That said, a group of empowered people moving in unison with common goals can be an amazing catalyst for positive change. Wall St. is about money and profits. Large groups of people have “the power of the purse.” One effective approach would be to identify exactly what they want changed and then begin to make it happen.

If the Occupy Wall St. participants don’t like big banks, then perhaps consciously using debit and credit cards less often will make an impact. Bringing business to small, local banks or local credit unions could be an acceptable alternative. Cash or alternative systems such as bartering could be another answer.

If supporting big business is unsavory, then buy local. Buying local returns money to the community many times over. Buying local could help revitalize Main St. in many communities and help friends and neighbors return to work. Buying local could also help support the growth of healthy and sustainable food supplies that use no pesticides and consume less petroleum.

If overseas jobs are the problem, consciously buy American made goods. ABC News is doing a fabulous job highlighting products made in the USA with their series “Made in the USA.” As a result, many American companies have emerged and put their products on the map, often at very competitive prices to imports. More business enables them to hire more employees and purchase more supplies from American suppliers, expanding the circle of giving and receiving.

Self empowerment can bring prosperity, along with inner peace, health and wellness, life balance, job satisfaction, meaningful relationships, and more. Everything that happens in your life is in relationship to the subtle energy of your heart, the energy that you hold subconsciously, below the surface. As you heal the wounds in your heart (including feelings of shame, blame, humiliation, despair, regret, guilt, anxiety, apathy, grief, fear, anger, hate, scorn, jealously, etc.) your frequency strengthens and things begin to fall into place more easily. All of this is an inside job and no one can do it for us. It is also a life-long process.

It doesn’t matter where you begin. What’s important is that you DO begin. Different methods work for different people. Some people like to work alone and others prefer to work in groups (such as those participating in Occupy Wall St.). Practice taking positive action and making each day better or a little lighter for yourself than the previous one. What one thing can you do today to lighten up? How about simply breathing, slowly €¦ in and out €¦ for one to two minutes minimum? You can do this anywhere. This practice will slow your heart rate and help ground your energy. It will help bring inner peace, clarity and focus.

Change comes from the inside, from our hearts. One of the benefits of positive change is personal empowerment.

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