Today I read a blog post by Rachel Goble, the director of the The Sold Project which works with children in Thailand. Rachel wrote a blog called Let's Stop Empowering and Start Inspiring. Rachel's words have challenged me to think about my own work. One of my guiding principles as I reach out to women in exploitation is to help empower them to make decisions to better their lives. I have been forming relationships and directing conversations with the end goal of helping empower women to make bold life choices. Rachel writes that the word empower implies that "I have the power and you do not. Therefore, let me give you the power." These words deeply impacted me. I want to help the people I work with recognize their own power, not be another person in their life to say "I have power and you do not." I want to help each person see this innate, G-d given worth which cannot be taken away. Her words have challenged me to think about how my actions are viewed by people who have been told their entire lives that they are not powerful enough to effect change.
Instead of empowering, Rachel believes that we should start inspiring others. I agree that when people are inspired they tap into the creativity and artistry of our Creator. Inspiring people to pursue their dreams means recognizing that people have had dreams, goals, and the power to grow all along. The question running through my mind all day is "How do I actually help inspire others?" How do I go about helping people explore their creative potential, especially when a lot of the women I encounter have no control over their lives? The only answer I have come up with is listening. Releasing potential is not something visible, something that can be easily identified. It takes time and a deep level of trust to being to explore. It takes time.
Honestly, I have no clue how to go about inspiring those around me. I know it will take time, dedication, patience, and lots of pryrs. I am thankful that my eyes have been opened to this concept so that I can better serve those around me.
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Choice
Choice....six letters that combine to make such a powerful word. More and more I am coming to realize just how important choice is to an individual, how vital it is to helping a person thrive and live with dignity.
Choice is something that I take for granted almost every day. What am I going to choose for breakfast? When do I have time in my schedule to meet up with three different people this week? Honestly, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the choices I have to make navigating life in a city of 23 million people. I fail to remember that choice is a blessing, a true blessing.
I know of some women working in situations of exploitation who do not have access to a kitchen. Their boss brings them their food for each meal and they have no input in terms of the menu items. These women also have no control of when they will be working. Their schedule can change on a whim as the boss decides.
I made a deliberate choice to move across the world to work and serve. Economic necessity forced these women to leave their hometown and seek any possible employment to keep their family financially afloat. These brave women often leave behind their small children in hopes of seeking a better life. Once they arrive to the big city they are tricked into working jobs they never expected. Any form of choice or decision making is quickly taken away.
It often seems counter intuitive that women who are offered alternative employment and a better life do not immediately jump at the opportunity. When you are not allowed to make basic choices through the day, it is a gigantic step to choose to leave your current situation and make a drastic life change. It takes time for a woman to build up the self-confidence to start making decisions about their own lives. This is a long process that takes relationships with stable influences. More importantly, it takes hours of intercession asking Him to intervene in these women's lives and change their hearts as only He can. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be His salt and light to these amazingly resilient women. I am thankful that I can be part of their healing journey. I am thankful that how I choose to spend my time ultimately helps another woman make choices for herself.
Choice is something that I take for granted almost every day. What am I going to choose for breakfast? When do I have time in my schedule to meet up with three different people this week? Honestly, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the choices I have to make navigating life in a city of 23 million people. I fail to remember that choice is a blessing, a true blessing.
I know of some women working in situations of exploitation who do not have access to a kitchen. Their boss brings them their food for each meal and they have no input in terms of the menu items. These women also have no control of when they will be working. Their schedule can change on a whim as the boss decides.
I made a deliberate choice to move across the world to work and serve. Economic necessity forced these women to leave their hometown and seek any possible employment to keep their family financially afloat. These brave women often leave behind their small children in hopes of seeking a better life. Once they arrive to the big city they are tricked into working jobs they never expected. Any form of choice or decision making is quickly taken away.
It often seems counter intuitive that women who are offered alternative employment and a better life do not immediately jump at the opportunity. When you are not allowed to make basic choices through the day, it is a gigantic step to choose to leave your current situation and make a drastic life change. It takes time for a woman to build up the self-confidence to start making decisions about their own lives. This is a long process that takes relationships with stable influences. More importantly, it takes hours of intercession asking Him to intervene in these women's lives and change their hearts as only He can. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be His salt and light to these amazingly resilient women. I am thankful that I can be part of their healing journey. I am thankful that how I choose to spend my time ultimately helps another woman make choices for herself.
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