Empowerment.

Such a loaded word.

Google defines it as this:

the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights

webster’s dictionary

Did you catch that? You are ultimately in control of your own life! That shouldn’t come as a surprise though.

As ironic as it may seem, the Urban Dictionary has become a credible source of information in my life as of late. Don’t judge me. They define empowerment as:

the ability to have your cake and eat it too

The urban dictionary

Tuh! I like that one a lot better! I’ll just leave that right there.  

Here’s my question to you, when is the last time you took time out to empower yourself? In the age of social media, we tend to place our value on how many likes and shares we get on that cute selfie, or that bomb advice you posted about someone’s relationship issues. Am I right?! As women, we are natural nurturers and we oftentimes lose ourselves in caring for others; our kids, our partners, our siblings, our staff, and the list goes on. 

In my 41 years of life, I have learned a very valuable lesson about empowerment.

The real power comes from within. YOU have the secret sauce. Tap into your “magic” and own it.

Once we master our own amazingness, it is our responsibility to make sure that our sisters feel the same. That is the epitome of EMPOWERMENT! It took me 30+ years to learn the true power of empowerment and encouragement. I have since, made it my daily goal to make myself and my sisters beam with pride and confidence. 

I like to think of life as a soundtrack. Currently, Uproar is on repeat. As I slide out of my baby Benz, and smooth my neatly coiffed hair, I can’t help but to hear Lil Wayne as my hype man in the background. 

As I confidently stroll through the hallways of my office building I’m greeted by compliments, “You are gorgeous! Girl, you are rocking those shoes! Omgee! I love your lip color!” I answer with a smile and a thank you. I click the play button on my mental playlist as a silent declaration. Gucci and Bruno give me the extra hype I need as I continue down the runway to my office.

Out here with the moves (yes) like I invented smooth

You can’t tell me I ain’t fly 

I know I’m super fly

I know I’m super fly

Once in my office, I sit behind my desk and inhale the smell of success. I remind myself that I am indeed a force to be reckoned with. 

But sis, let’s keep it real! There are those days when amazingly beautiful, make “ish” happen, black woman problems weigh heavily on my shoulders. It’s a catch 22. These are the days that I have to fight to prove my worth; the times when I have to go above and beyond just to be a blip on the radar of professional recognition; the moments when I feel the most lonely because no one on my team looks like me. During my most troubling times, my soundtrack still acts as a kind of premonition. The familiar track of one of my favoritess spins in my head. Erykah Badu wails:

Bag lady you gone hurt your back

Dragging all them bags like that

I guess nobody ever told you

All you must hold onto, is you, is you, oh it’s true

One day all them bags gon’ get in your way, so pack light,

We are all entitled to a moment of weakness, where we just simply collapse from the weight of it all. This is the time where you release all of the proverbial baggage that our sis E Badu speaks of and focus on self care. Once restored, pack light, stand back up, and dust yourself off. What’s your next soundtrack as you face the world again?

Mine?

My girl Bey knows just what I need.

Momma taught me good home training

My Daddy taught me how to love my haters

My sister taught me I should speak my mind

My man made me feel so *** **** fine

You wake up, flawless

I WOKE UP LIKE THIS!

Ayyyeeeee!!!!!!

Again, let me remind you; you and you alone are in charge of the trajectory of your life. Daily, strive to become stronger and more confident; having your cake and eating it too. Along the way, look at your sister and remind her of how amazingly beautiful and talented she is. 

I’ll end like this,

*clicks play* 

I’m a movement by myself, 

but I’m a force when we’re together. 

I’m good all by myself. 

Sister, simply put, YOU MAKE ME BETTER!”

Flawsomely yours,  

EMME

xoxox