The author of this quote, Alice Walker, is also the renowned writer of the bestselling book, The Color Purple, and the award winning movie of the same name. The Color Purple tells the story of an African American teenager in a post-slavery United States, who, according the Britannica, “comes to resist the paralyzing self-concept forced on her by others”.

The mass enslavement of people has been a scourge on the history of the World, and for many of the more recent occurrences, the repercussions are still being felt. However, the quote seeks to remind us that in many other instances – and a lot closer to home – we enslave ourselves. If we think that we do not have any power in a particular situation, we act accordingly. We give up our power to others.

As we discussed in our articles, I Love You… But I Should Love Me More and 6 Lessons I Am Still Learning As I Find And Develop My Voice, giving up our power can be a slippery slope. Yes,  it may be necessary to compromise for the greater good, but sometimes, we, as women, can compromise unduly – too much and/or too often – and it may reach a point where we lose our power.

However all is not lost. We can seek to restore our power: our sense of self, and of self-determination, but it is unlikely to be easy, as it may require others to change, and to relinquish the power they have had over us.

 

Throughout the day, we invite you to revisit this quote. Below are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself, and those who journal may find them especially useful:

• Am I in a situation where someone may have undue power over me?
• Have there been situations or relationships in which I gave up my power?
• What are some takeaways you have had from situations where someone may have had undue power over me?

 

 

Best wishes, and have a great day!