Everyone knows who Oprah Winfrey is. One of the most powerful people in the world, and she’s not even in politics. She grew up in one of the worst environments, living in extreme poverty, sexually abused by several people growing up, bouncing around living with her mother, father and grandmother. She ran away from home a lot of times. She also got pregnant at age 14 but sadly that infant died shortly after giving birth.
When she was in High School, she started working at a local radio station and worked her way through various media jobs and landed a job as a TV news anchor, only to get fired after. She however didn’t let the opinion of people in that news network stop her. She created her own talk show, and by the age of 32, her show became a nationwide hit. By 41, her net worth was well over $340 million. She started her own magazine, TV network, coauthored multiple books and a radio show, not to mention winning an Academy Award. Her work with charities is legendary all over the world.
Despite a bad childhood and a bad employer, she never let that take her powers away. Oprah refused to be another statistic, deciding who she wanted to become in her live by never giving away her power.
Deciding when nobody else can have the power to control how you feel, you will become empowered.
Here are 5 other ways to retain your power to make and keep you mentally strong:
1. Devote your time and energy to things you choose. No more blaming other people for wasting your time or wrecking your day.
2. Not get pressured into doing something that you don’t want to do based on GUILT TRIPS or what you think other people want you to do.
3. Taking responsibility for your own behavior will make you accountable for your progress forward to your goals.
4. Develop a better sense of who you are as a person when you’re able to make simple choices based on what’s the best available for you, instead of thinking of what will prevent the most repercussions.
5. Having power reduces your risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. A sense of hopelessness and helplessness is directed to many mental health problems. Deciding not to let other people and circumstances the power to control your emotions and behaviors will give you more power over your mental health.
Holding a grudge gives a feeling of anger and resentment just lessens one’s personal life. You’re giving away your power to that person where you harbor that anger and resentment, destroying the quality of your life. Choosing to forgive allows you to take your power back, not to mention your overall psychological health plus your physical health Here’s what I’ve researched regarding the health benefits of forgiveness:
– Forgiveness reduces your stress. Your blood pressure and heart rate decreases. Check!
– Choosing to forgive increases pain tolerance significantly. A willingness to forgive is associated with increased pain tolerance.
– Giving unconditional forgiveness will help you live longer. Your risk of dying earlier will decrease.
Remember, you don’t have any control over whether someone will apologize to you. Waiting to forgive people until they say sorry gives them power over you, your life and even your death. Think about it.
Today, forgive someone for saying hurtful words towards you. Forgive someone for hurting your feelings. Forgive someone for leaving you behind. Forgive someone for being rude to you. Forgive someone for neglecting you. Forgive someone for cheating on you. Forgive someone for lying to you. Start with one. Free yourself and take that power back for good.
Question of the day: Who is that person you want to forgive and why?
December 12, 2020 Author Jimbo
Regarding the question, i want to forgive my first friend on college because deep inside I hate him because of his attitude towards me but I should think that we all have differences and acceptance is the most important.
December 12, 2020 Author Marinela Paano
The person I want to forgive is my father. My family we’ve been through in too much stress and conflicts because of him. They said you can’t shoes you parents. Parents are the one who gave you life, but what will you do if that one person you expected to support you will be the one who always questioning and degrading your ability but still forgiveness is as must because in Godly words. Children should honor their parents. I do forgive my father but i cant forget everything till now.
December 14, 2020 Author Khel Lawrence
Taking back power is a strong order and quite difficult. To forgive is a tough task already. But to forget? I doubt if there are people who can forget easily. For me, I want to forgive those who have done wrong with me and manipulated me with their doings.
Manipulated in a sense that I only followed orders but it caused me harm towards to pther people and ending up blaming me.
I can forgive easily with a simple and sincere “sorry” but the relationship will never be the same again.