Most of my life I cringed at the thought of power. I thought power meant ‘power over.’ I had no clue that true power is actually within us. Every single one of us.

I formed my perception about power at a young age. My perception translated into me shrinking in the face of those I perceived were in power – especially men. Those men included my step-dad, priests, teachers and bosses. As a result, I spent a lot of time hiding my light and playing small. I was hoping not to be noticed or to ‘rock the boat.’  With that kind of fear about those whom I perceived had power over me, the result was I gave my power away.

When I became an adult, I decided, for survival, that I would align myself with the powerful and always have a way to support myself. I went to law school and became an attorney. Instead of feeling powerful, however, I was right back where I started answering to senior male attorneys who had power over my progression on the path to partner.

Making a New Choice

After I became partner, I was blessed to be in the room when my stepdad transitioned and I suddenly knew there was more to life.

Thanks to my supportive husband, I quit the practice of law and my spiritual journey began. As I started out, however, I still had my same perception about power. I had no degree or any background in anything remotely spiritual, so I took my familiar path of hiding my light and playing small. Others were obviously more gifted than me.

 I began by giving away my power to those in the ‘know.’ Those who had studied longer, had credentials that I did not possess or even could ‘see’ things that I could not. In my never-ending self-talk, both conscious and subconscious, I would find some reason that another person was better than me. That same self-talk led me to believe that since they were better than me, they should be the one leading the show of my life.

Since I was in the habit of giving my power away, it also was natural for me to reach to others for answers. Notice I said ‘reach.’ The answers were coming from outside of me, and more and more of them were feeling inaccurate.

A Shift in Perception

 I then started to receive messages from multiple sources. Every direction I turned I got the message loud and clear to stop reaching outside of myself and go within. The messages came to me in really bizarre ways, and they just kept coming until I paid attention.

 I definitely had resistance to paying attention. Who doesn’t want to just have someone else tell them what their next step should be? What their purpose is? What their gifts are? After all, that is what has been modeled for us in our society.

 Going within takes work.

Taking your power back and standing in it can be challenging. It is not for the faint of heart. But if you truly want to live as your authentic self and make a difference while you are on the planet, it is so worth it!

A Path to Empowerment

 At about the same time I was getting the messages to go within, I found the Modern Mystery School. I took my first class and I have not looked back. The Modern Mystery School provides tried and true methods to help us ‘Know Thyself.’ The history of the school dates back 3,000 years to the time of King Salomon, and the teachings, healings and initiations have been preserved in an unbroken lineage since that time.

One of the most powerful steps I took was becoming a Life Activation Practitioner. In addition to receiving a powerful physical healing while I was training, I felt light coming into my body in a profound way that brought me to tears. I knew then that these teachings were real and that they work.

The wonderful thing about the Modern Mystery School is that you don’t have to go it alone. Going within sounded to me like a solo, lonely and hard endeavor. A person who is naturally shy by nature, I have made such wonderful friendships and connections already on this path, and I am sure there will be many, many more in the future.

Where are You on Your Path?

Questions to ask yourself:

• At the mention of power, what comes to mind?
• Are you giving your power away?
• Do you have a ‘guru’ whom you look to for answers?
• Are you reaching outside of yourself for answers?

The Truth is you have all of the answers you need inside. A department store jingle got stuck in my head that sings: “It’s all inside.” I have used it as a handy little reminder when I am tempted to give my power away. You are welcome to use it too.

If you would like help taking your power back and retaining it, the journey within starts with a Life Activation and, if you are drawn to go further, it continues with a two-day class called Empower Thyself. The Empower Thyself class ends with an initiation into the Lineage of King Salomon.