Be Empowered

Thank you to Swoob and SABRE for sponsoring today’s conversation and for providing the products shown in this post.

Empower. It’s kind of a buzzword, right? But have you ever thought about what it actually means?

To give someone power – okay, that makes sense.

To make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. – Ah. I like that one.

So in other words, when we empower someone, we give her the authority, strength, courage, and self-confidence to take charge of her life, her decisions, and her BODY.

This.

This is what I want to teach my daughters. My beautiful, smart, innocent, sassy little girls who are very quickly (too quickly) marching their way into tweendom.

I see them whispering, sharing secrets, and writing in their diaries. (In between playing in the mud and building snail houses.)

I hear them talking about boys. Who’s the meanest and who’s the cutest. Who has a crush on who. (Boys are gross. But sometimes they’re nice. But usually they’re gross.)

I watch them looking at themselves in the mirror. (When did they take an interest in brushing their hair?)

I see them looking at their bodies, watching and waiting for changes. And I see them looking at mine. The questions…oh, the questions. About my body. Their bodies. Their dad’s body. Where babies come from. And so much more.

Some of their questions are enough to make a veteran health teacher blush. But you know what? I always answer them. Always. Even if we’re in the stall in a crowded Target bathroom, and their loud questions are the ones that no one ever, EVER wants to answer in public.

I answer them anyway. Not because I’m some kind of supermom (or a super mom). But because that’s how I empower them.

Knowledge is power. And by giving them knowledge about their bodies, I empower them.

To say, “no.”

To say, “stop.”

To say, “I changed my mind.”

To not keep secrets.

And I teach them that their bodies are strong and powerful and capable of so much. I encourage them to be active. To play outdoors and to participate in sports. And I show them by example by living an active lifestyle and by challenging my own physical limits.

Swoob and SABRE

I’m thrilled to partner with two fabulous companies, Swoob and SABRE, on this very important subject. Swoob and SABRE have joined together to discuss how leading an active lifestyle can empower women and help promote their physical safety. Both companies are sharing powerful messages about survival, and I’m excited to share those messages with you.

First, a little about Swoob:

What started as an idea on a rock climbing adventure in the mountains of Utah to create a sports bra with pockets has expanded across global horizons as we give women a voice and encourage stylish and active lifestyles. We want all women to harness their goddess power and believe in themselves.

I love, love, love my Hummingbird Sports Bra! It’s comfy and ingenious, and (according to my 9 year old) “the most beautiful bra in the whole entire world!”

The Hummingbird is super-lightweight – it’s not a running bra, but it’s great for yoga or everyday wear. It’s also got a perfect little interior pocket – perfect for someone like me who is known to use her bra as an extra storage space anyway. This is a much more comfortable choice.

Besides making awesome bras and fitness wear, Swoob inspires, motivates, and spreads the message that strong is beautiful! This month, Swoob is featuring an incredibly moving blog post called “We Are All Survivors.” Check it out, and then pass it on to the women in your life who inspire and empower you.

And a little about SABRE:

SABRE, the world’s leading personal safety brand, has partnered with RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) to raise public awareness about sexual assault, survival, and recovery. As part of this initiative, SABRE is sharing stories of survival and hope – the goal is to generate awareness, provide resources, and help RAINN monetarily via the RAINN Personal Alarm and/or direct donations to the nonprofit organization.

SABRE has some fantastic personal safety products, including the Runner Pepper Spray with Adjustable Hand Strap. And as much as I hope to never use it, I’m glad to have it just in case.

What empowers you? What gives you the strength and confidence to take control of your life? What gives you courage? And how can you pass it on?

Thank you for reading. You all empower me every day. Truly.