Let's face it. We all feel alone sometimes, powerless and we all face struggle no matter how far we've come toward accomplishing our goals. What some of us fail to realize is that we are not victims of struggle, we are given POWER during struggle!
If you start to look at everything as happening FOR YOU rather then TO YOU, you will find that you are empowered! This empowerment will ultimately help people around you if you are willing to embrace and share your struggle in a positive way.
Lately I have been sharing testimonies because I feel that it is so important for us to realize how many other people struggle with things, and are able to overcome just because of the shared care and concern that we show them.
Jen is Empowered!
One recent example of mine is a woman named Jen who works out at the gym I train at. I have been acquainted with Jen for about 8 years, as we have regularly worked out at the same gyms in Reno over the years. The awesome thing about this woman? Not only is she a complete sweetheart, a very hard worker, and dedicated, but she notices everything about everyone! I would come back from vacation and she'd notice my new pair of kicks on my feet, or if I cut my hair she'd be the first to compliment me at the gym. She has a natural ability to build others up!
So, lately I have noticed Jen's persona changed. I would see here in the locker room, and she just seemed down for about 2 weeks. Finally I asked her if she was okay, but not wanting to push. She told me that she was feeling discouraged because she's been working so hard and not seeing results, and actually feels like she's gaining fat. She concluded that she has medical concerns that she didn't want to discuss. Ironically (as you may have read in my last blog), I also have medical issues that I have been facing, and I decided to briefly share my concerns. Her eyes lit up! She told me that she has BOTH of the same issues that I have, and asked for advice. She told me that she's never known that about me, and asked how I deal with it in such a way that it doesn't bring me down. She also shared that she does not have health insurance, and cannot afford testing. I, myself was in the same situation for 2 years. I referred her to a doctor and cash lab, and kept on her for a couple of weeks about getting her lab work done & getting the issues treated.
Then! Yesterday I was on the treadmill warming up between clients and she saw me and came happily trotting up the stairs! She told me that she went and got her lab levels done, and was able to afford it! She told me that I was the reason she finally went, and stop putting it off. She thanked me and over-complimented me in ways unnecessary. She said I am a light that shines among all others in the gym. I couldn't believe it. I made a difference because I shared my struggle in a positive and encouraging way. No excuses, just resolutions.... The more empowering part? Through my struggle, Jen ended up encouraging me and giving my confidence to more effectively do my job as a motivator; while also sharing my imperfections.
You see, I realized that my struggle was happening FOR ME to help others, not TO ME as a means to hold me back! Every single area of our lives will present a struggle at some point. It is our job to face our struggle head on, and empower others through not only our actions but our words. It is so easy to feel like things are getting in our way as means of distraction, but the truth is that we have the choice to make the situation work in our best interest, and that of others.
I have seen too often lately people making excuses for themselves, and playing the victim role. If this is you, you need to quit! Look around you. Every single person has a struggle. You may not touch everyone's life, but if you touch one life and empower someone it is likely that they will be empowered to share their testimony with someone else; the cycle will continue!
YOUR WORDS ARE MORE POWERFUL THEN YOU THINK. STRUGGLES HAPPEN FOR YOU TO HELP OTHERS, NOT TO YOU TO BRING OTHERS DOWN.
YOUR WORDS ARE POWERFUL.
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