Power:
The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.
The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events.
Empower:
Give someone the authority or power to do something
Make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.
How are you going with all of this Ginger Spice? Are you feeling like you can step forward at the end of this month with a bit more clarity on what makes you feel empowered?
Power can be a funny subject for women, as it’s often seen as being masculine trait, and it is often linked with OVERpowering.
When us old chicks were growing up, power at work meant shoulder pads and double breasted suits with killer heels. It meant doing what the men did, bigger and better and all whilst holding the baby. Power in our sexuality meant taking charge of contraception and possibly even the act of sex itself. Power with finances meant having your own bank account, career and belongings and not consolidating with anyone else. We imitated the only version of power we could see, which was what masculine role models showed us.
Thankfully things have changed, and now us chicks can step into our power in a completely different way. Our knowledge of physiology and brain function has shown us that we aren’t in competition with men or each other, but that true power, and true success comes with the ability to find the win-win. There is more than enough for everyone to have a role, and a seat at the table.
So what does that mean for us?
It means we can create our own definitions of what a life well-lived looks like, so the most empowering thing we can do for ourselves and the people around us is to live that life.
We have been using Ginger oil as our anchor all this month, so today we would love you to take a moment to either look at or handle some actual ginger. Ginger plants are lush looking tropical plants, with vibrant, succulent flowers. They give off a distinctive spicy-sweet smell, and yield a hoary old rhizome that is the part we add to our curries. To get to the edible part of the ginger, we have to dig in to the soil and get a bit dirty. Then we have to spend some time patiently getting clean and clear of dirt, and peeling away the roughness. We are then rewarded with the delicious and yummy part of the plant.. or are we? Ginger consumption then requires a bit more work- chopping, grating, adding some heat.
Pretty much like life. Pretty much like our goals. Pretty much like anything that is worth doing.
This week we want you to remember that it turns out that we all get everything we ever truly want. We just need to know what we want, and be prepared to get dirty, get clear, revise, do the work, maybe chop things around a bit, add some energy… And then sit back and enjoy.
It’s the spice of life.