Real Power

The word empower is a buzzword that is popular with social and political movements. The meaning of the word, to me, has been that somebody wants to take money from people who have it, and give it to people who don't have it, for the purpose of being popular with the highest number of people. That way, they get those votes and acquire power. I don't think I am being cynical, just realistic.

But it now has another meaning to me. One that is more personal, and directly affects me in a positive way. In a very real sense, quitting smoking has empowered me with the ability to really change things that I always intended to change, but had never gotten around to any of them.

To say that quitting smoking is a hard thing to do is like saying Switzerland has some nice hills. I have already commented on some of the difficulties, and will do so in the future. But, as hard as it can be, I am doing it. I am getting through the bad times, and starting to see the good times. My attitude has evolved from certainty of failure if I try it, to certainty that I can do it if I really want to. And that is, indeed, empowerment.

The biggest obstacle to success, at anything, is doubt. If you don't believe in yourself, you will not be likely to succeed. It takes more than confidence in an ability to do the truly hard things in life. It takes conviction that it is worth the effort, and that the goal is worth any discomfort or hardship it will cost, and the faith in yourself to get the job done. If a person has all that, I would not bet against them.

The old saying that success breeds success is true. Success banishes doubt and builds confidence, conviction, and faith. And it carries over. If I can do the hardest thing there is to do (which I'd say quitting smoking qualifies as that) then I can do anything. And that idea right there is the most empowering idea of them all.

More from Zzyzx:
Critical Thinking
It's All About Attitude
The Balance Between Nicotine Withdrawal and Healing

Visit Z's weblog at Ciggyfree ODAT