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The Power of the Hero Alone

Some times I believe I can fly, by R'eyesEmpowerment is heroic: stand up, undertake a journey, stand alone, face down fears, find treasure … and then do it all over again … and again.

Like heroes throughout time, when we confront tough passages to freedom we’re prompted to weigh pros and cons. Is the trial of the journey worth the goal or can I be satisfied just staying like this? It’s not such a bad life I have now, really. Sort of.

What turns the tide? What motivates us to lace the boots, heft the pack, and stride or stumble forward? And what stops us from doing so?

Two big detours come from people who want to change us and people we want to change. A journey of empowerment only succeeds when we change because we want to change. It’s personal. Wanting others to change before we can succeed puts the power in their hands. Seeking approval for the journey also puts the power into hands other than our own.

“No one can solve problems for someone whose problem is that they don’t want problems solved.”
~ Richard Bach, One

“Whatever anyone else thinks about me is none of my business.”
~ Michael J. Fox, Lucky Man: A Memoir

The shortest distance between you and your empowered dreams is the path you choose, coupled with your willingness to travel that path alone. Not alone as in “lonely.” Alone as in “only one of you, ever.” Reaching for your own empowerment means making a commitment to yourself, inside yourself – a pact between you and you, and no one else. Only then do you tap the fortitude, assistance, guidance, and miracles that pull you toward the people and situations made for you alone – the glorious one and only you.

Flickr photo: Some times I believe I can fly, by R’eyes

Related reading: Hero Practice, Pep Talk | Keep the Faith

5 Comments

  1. jo martin wrote:

    Grace, you’re so right – in the end, all things considered — it’s just us. No trusty sidekick providing humor and support – just us facing our destiny.

    Makes me think of the Eagle’s Take It To The Limit One More Time – try “it”, if you fail, pick yourself up and try again.

    Monday, June 22, 2009 at 3:40 pm | Permalink
  2. It all harkens back to that oft-noted skill we humans constantly aim to master: balancing the needs of our individual selves with our need to be connected and in society.

    Somehow, for me, this photo says so much about that process. It’s a flash of time, soon to pass. But someone is watching. There are two people there, but one is leaping, in faith, for himself.

    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 12:02 pm | Permalink
  3. jo martin wrote:

    I hadn’t thought of the 2nd person there, taking the pic but excellent point! I love that the “snap” is right at the moment of lift-off – such promise!

    Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 6:56 am | Permalink
  4. Dorothy Morgan wrote:

    Dear Grace:

    Your words here touched a place deep within for me–that resonating vibration which shakes things up. Truly motivational and as always inspiring!

    Thanks as ever.

    In love, light, and gratitude for your powerful contributions.

    Dorothy

    Friday, July 10, 2009 at 8:33 am | Permalink
  5. You’re most welcome, Dorothy. I’m glad you got a *PING* from this. It helps to be a deep resonator in general, as I know you are.

    Monday, July 13, 2009 at 10:32 am | Permalink