The Beginnings of Empowerment

My life is about empowering others and myself. It truly began at a single moment; when  I began to feel worthy enough to claim it for myself. It started on a cold winter’s day on Mt. Charleston. For several hours, I did some soul searching and had no idea where it was leading. While I was there, I ran across a tree – the one in the picture. It had an incredible effect on me and the direction of my life. At the time I didn’t know it. It simply inspired the poem below.

It is very personal and not easy for me to publish. My poetry makes me truly feel vulnerable.  I look forward to hearing you comments about it.

The Mountain

I took a long glance at this lonely tree

And when I looked closer, what did I see?

Its bark had withered, its branches the same

Yet still it grew tall because it knew no shame

What did it do to be shameful about?

It caused no harm nor created any doubt

Its purpose in life was clearly to be

Simply one thing; a beautiful tree

It stood there proudly on the cold mountain top

Without ever wondering if it was going to stop

For how long it was there I had no way to know

Nor how many more years it would continue to grow

As long as it had purpose in its solitary life to be

And I felt at that moment, the same as the tree

There’s no reason at all to continue with shame

I wasn’t born in this world with doubt or blame

Somewhere in my journey, I learned how to add

Shame, unworthiness, and especially that I was bad

After these long years of blame and self-doubt

Now is the time to realize I can truly live without

All of these notions that I’m not worthy enough

They hinder my journey and make my road tough

So the time is now to look at myself plainly

And realize I’m worthy to live life more sanely

Get out from the past, move forward right now

And put away all blame with this sacred vow

I choose from this day, when I do have a choice

To take a firm step and speak with stern voice

And not let others or circumstanced provide

The answers to life which for me I now decide

When shame or self-doubt rears its ugly head

I will dismiss it quite firmly as though it were dead

For now, I feel worthy of great things to come

I will gladly accept wherever they are from

What life has to give me and what’s still in store

I value myself fully and am open for much more

And for the last time I fondly look upon that tree

Having great anticipation of what life has for me

With a tear in my eye and a big smile on my face

I will live my life fully, touched by the tree’s grace