10 Empowering Moments That Everyone Should Experience At Least Once

With every decade that passes, there is always more to learn, look forward to, and experience. From childhood through old age there are certain events that provide a great sense of accomplishment, relief, and the feeling of pure bliss. These special moments are reflected upon by some of the world’s greatest philosophers, lovers, creative types, and politicians of all time. They can certainly inspire you to recognize that you’ve done it or are experiencing the empowerment of living it at present.

1.) The commitment to love yourself wholly, value your self worth, embrace your individuality, and accept your perfect imperfections without self-judgment and believing the judgments of others.

“Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

2.) Graduation day, receiving an acceptance letter, signing an employment contract, earning a raise and/or promotion highlights the results of determination and efforts towards reaching the goal of academic and professional achievement.

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

3.) Moving out of your childhood home into a new place of residence that reflects your personal needs of shelter, style, and comfort; whether it be in a dorm, with room mates, living alone, with a significant other, or family of your own.

“Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

4.) Falling in love and letting it be all consuming—without resistance but allowing the truth of feeling and passion to take hold of you; revealing parts of yourself that were dormant and perhaps you didn’t even know existed, while receiving its reciprocation.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, While loving someone deeply gives you courage.”~Lao Tzu

5.) Making the choice to love someone unconditionally without criticism and expectation—the beautiful and difficult parts; giving both you and them the space to grow and evolve. It’s allowing yourself to think outside of your wants and needs and respond to those of your beloved. This is not limited to romantic love but rather could be applied to familial and plutonic relationships, as well.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” ~1 Corinthians, 13:8

6.) Knowing when it’s time to walk away and not settle for someone or something that is causing you unhappiness, imbalance, and insecurity. You deserve more not less and once you become self-aware of this, freedom sets.

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” ~ Nelson Mandela

7.) Taking a risk, letting your heart and mind expand with curiosity, and having faith that all will turn out in the way it should—not the way you want.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~ Anais Nin

8.) Living without expectation, but with excitement and knowing that you will be strong and able to handle whatever comes your way. Release the past that caused you harm and take nothing personally.

“The coincidences become tracks that reveal the will of the universe, showing us its synchronicity and allowing us to take advantage of endless opportunities of life.” ~Deepak Chopra

9.) Bearing witness to a newborn baby that gently sleeps—observing the gift of how precious life is through its existence of being in the most purest state.

“Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born.” ~George Bernard Shaw

10.) Taking at least a full day or perhaps an extended period of time in complete solitude as your own best friend—whether it be on vacation, not leaving the house, escaping into nature or to a favorite place only to re-discover how very special you are.

“Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back.~ Eve Ensler