Claim Your Power

I want to share a gentle reminder today, if you are reading this, to hold onto your power. It is something that cannot be taken by anyone else, even if it feels so. It cannot be diminished or broken, no matter how hard circumstances may try. It’s something I’m still learning to hold, because it is something that often intimidates me. Just imagine, for a moment, how fulfilled we would be if we acknowledged and claimed our full power! What does that even look like? What does it mean?

I don’t know the exact answer, but I know what it feels like. For me, it’s trusting in myself to honor what feels right and what doesn’t. It’s having the courage to let go and set boundaries. It’s respecting myself as a real human being with valid thoughts, emotions, and substance. Most importantly, it’s something that I have to remind myself of often, and actively practice. Many of us are taught from a young age to belittle ourselves and squeeze into boxes that are easy for others to understand. Maybe you don’t even know who you are yet – I’m not entirely sure of that myself, either. But each and every one of us are small walking miracles – us humans and the stars above us share 97% of the same atoms. I love that old saying “Humans are made of stardust,” because what fuels the billions of blinking galaxies throughout space fuels us, too. Please remember that whenever you feel powerless. You are incredible. You deserve to be here. You deserve happiness. You deserve to wholly, unabashedly, love yourself.

-Annie Nay, Child Care Support Specialist