Empowerment for Growth

“I am going to be happy when I have $10,000 in the bank.” 

“As soon as I earn $25,000 a year I am going to be able to solve all of my problems.” 

The greatest difference between somebody who has a lot of money and somebody who does not is that somebody without a lot of money thinks that financial wealth solves all problems. Somebody with money knows that it does not. Though, albeit, it does solve a few. Money is not power. 

In 2009, I founded an educational content development company that partners with organizations to develop customized content. Our clients ask us to develop specific content including courses, lesson plans, learning objects and textbooks. The company has a mission that we call “Empowering Growthl.” It is obvious that we want to help people grow. What is not obvious is what the words “empowerment for growth” mean. Webster defines power as a possession of influence over others and empowerment as a granting of power.  This same dictionary defines growth as the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced. Ideally, life is a process of growth. With this in mind, the real question is growth towards what? What is the ideal in life? 

In order to be fulfilled in life an individual must have four distinct characteristics. First, they must have the ability to develop relationships with themselves. Second, relationships with other people. Third, they must feel and connect with some sort of higher presence. Finally, they must have the ability to financially support themselves. These four attributes will enable the individual to live a self-fulfilling life. 

Self Love

The first attribute that an individual must possess is love for self, their real inner self. For each of us, this is the most important voice in the whole world. People must know this voice and hear this voice. It is only once an individual develops this inner connection that they can develop outward connections. 

What does a relationship with the inner self look like?

Imagine a deep meditative experience. During this experience the individual might appear quiet. Yet, in reality they are coming in touch with themself. I personally often come in touch with myself by using my pointer finger. That's right, my finger. I will “write” in the air or on my leg with it. Whatever works, as long as you can hear the most important voice in the world and develop a love for yourself. The process of doing this is incredibly empowering. 

Love of others

Second, consider what it means for a person to have deep relationships with other people.

It is a human need to connect with other people. People desperately want bonds. Every meaningful deep relationship must be grounded in trust. People want to know that they are respected and will not be mocked or looked down upon for their ideas or actions. They should know that they matter and will be taken seriously. As people feel safe and respected it becomes easier for them to treat others the same way. 

Striving for higher

A third, and for some people deeper, type of connection is with a higher level. Many people refer to this as God. However, I do not want to use this word. Though this article does not afford me the space to thoroughly explain the reasoning behind this, the word God is too prescriptive for many. I would rather think about a tranquil, peacefully quiet connection to the world. For example, a high spirituality may be present during a quiet activity in which the sounds of nature are clearly heard. A person's being can achieve a higher level during this activity. As a teacher, I used to take middle school students to a river behind our building and ask them to write poetry. It was truly uplifting, 

The fourth attribute, earning a living, becomes a lot easier when people can develop the highest quality relationships with themselves, others, and a higher presence. 

While financial stability is important, true fulfillment comes from nurturing relationships with oneself, others, and a higher presence. When people feel empowered to grow in self-understanding, connection, and purpose, material wealth loses significance as an end in itself. Ultimately, empowerment for growth means helping people unlock their full human potential beyond just economic security. Educational curriculum that does not incorporate the need for relationships is stuck in the 2010s - in the 2020s, empowerment means developing skills to relate on all levels. Empowerment for growth requires curriculum focused on nurturing self-connection, human bonds, and higher purpose.