As I get closer to 50 and assess the lifetime of experiences I’ve accumulated, I like to think back and recall the beliefs that have changed my thinking and my life.
When I was younger, I had a lot of beliefs that I now know were disempowering in nature. Over the years, I began to question many of them, including a number of “brules” that were ruling my life.
As I began to adopt more empowering beliefs, I developed convictions that brought more happiness and personal power into my life.
21 Empowering Beliefs I Live My Life By
Here are 21 of my most cherished, empowering beliefs that have changed my thinking, made me more resilient, and helped me bounce back from life’s curveballs with more calm and confidence.
1. I believe in myself.
I know if it has to be, it’s up to me. I believe that I’m the only person who can decide the impact that life’s events has on me.
So I chose to believe in myself and in my ability to handle anything life throws at me. If something needs to change, I know I’m the one who has to do it.
2. I know how to assert myself.
I know that setting boundaries with people in my life is the only way to create healthier relationships.
I know that it’s more important to be authentic than to be a people-pleaser and I’m learning how to assert myself in a calm and non-harmful way.
I don’t always manage it, but I’m proud of myself for working on it.
3. I know how to heal myself.
From my spiritual teachers, I have learned that my emotions are at the root of every health issue I have faced in my life.
I attract into my life the issues that I need to heal and know that self-awareness and self-acceptance are the practices I need to heal myself.
4. I choose what’s right for me over what’s expected of me.
I don’t look to other people for approval or feel the need to conform to other’s expectations.
As long as I approve of myself, I can choose what’s right for me and make choices that serve me and my loved ones.
I refuse to take on the burden of other people’s expectations. The only person whose approval matters is my own.
5. I take responsibility for my life and my happiness.
I am in charge of my life and take responsibility for everything I create – the good and the bad.
I hold myself accountable for the outcomes I create, without beating myself up over it.
I am learning every day and celebrate the fact that I have the power to determine my own future.
6. I believe that everything happens for a reason.
Like William Shakespeare, I believe that there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.
I choose to believe that everything happens for a reason, even if I don’t always understand it when it’s happening.
7. I believe that my life has great meaning, deep purpose.
My loving-kindness (metta) practice involves repeating the sentences below in a meditative state. It has taught me to believe that my life has great meaning, deep purpose.
May I be truly happy.
May I live in peace.
May I live in love.
May I know the power of forgiveness.
May I live in recognition that my life has deep meaning, good purpose.
Even if I don’t always comprehend the meaning or purpose behind my presence on the planet, I trust that I am impacting lives in a way that only I can.
8. I count my blessings.
I have so much to appreciate – the air I breathe, the water I drink, my food and shelter, being a mother, doing work I love.
I appreciate everything in my life, even difficult relationships and people.
I know everything that happens and every person I meet brings the gift of understanding and appreciating human nature.
Expressing my appreciation reminds me of how blessed I am and how much abundance I have in my life.
9. I learn from mistakes.
I make setbacks work for me by focusing on the lessons that they contain.
I don’t let my mistakes get me down. Every time I fall down, I get back up again.
As the Japanese proverb says, “Success is falling down seven times, getting up eight.”
10. I find meaning in adversity.
Even though tough times are hard to endure, I know that I can emerge from any challenge with greater wisdom and courage.
My toughest times were the biggest learning experiences of my life, and when I look back at the obstacles I’ve overcome, I know I can handle what lies ahead.
Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
11. I embrace change.
I know that change is the only constant and embrace it. I thrive on change. It helps me learn and grow.
As long as I focus on the present moment, I can adapt to any circumstances that come my way.
12. I challenge myself.
I know that if my goals don’t challenge me, they’re not big enough. I make goals that are possible, but big enough to test me.
I don’t feel the need to know HOW I’ll attain my goals as long as I have a strong enough WHY.
I believe that life is an adventure and that setting challenging, but attainable, goals give me something to look forward to each day.
13. I practice forgiveness.
I believe that holding on to anger and resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
I consciously choose to lighten my load by practicing forgiveness for myself and others.
I let things go because I know that anger and resentment will harm me and poison my mind, body, and relationships.
I set boundaries with people who have wronged or disappointed me, while responding with compassion to human foibles.
14. I give to those less fortunate than me.
I love to give to the less fortunate, whether in terms of time or money. When I can’t volunteer time, I donate to charities I believe in.
Giving makes me feel more powerful and joyful, even if it’s a small gesture.
15. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
I don’t believe in perfection. I just believe in performing a task to the best of my abilities.
I put all my passion and commitment to my work. I believe that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
16. I leverage my strengths.
I focus on what I’m good at and leverage my strengths instead of dwelling on my weaknesses.
I know that I don’t have to be good at everything and can always get help for the things I’m not good at.
My strengths and the way I express them are what make me unique, so I choose to draw on them instead.
17. I listen to feedback.
I love to improve and become better at what I do, so I’m always happy to get feedback.
I listen to suggestions and feedback respectfully and without getting defensive. I know that I need input from others in order to learn and grow.
18. I ask for help.
I believe in the African Proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
I choose not to go it alone, but to reach out and build a support network of strong and powerful women on whom I can depend on for advice and mentorship.
I know I can achieve so much more when I ask for help from the right people.
19. I regularly practice emotional self-care.
I know that being around negative people and influences can bring you down, no matter how enthusiastic or optimistic you start out.
That’s why I choose to surround myself and engage only with family and friends who are positive, loving, and encouraging.
I read emotional self-care books to learn how to set firm boundaries with those who bring negativity into my life.
20. I’m always open to new possibilities
I believe that “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” and say yes to everything that makes my heart sing.
I am always open to opportunities to grow and expand my life.
I’m always preparing for the moments of serendipity when I might encounter the right person or the right opportunity to take my life further.
21. I love to learn and try new things.
I am adventurous and courageous. I love to be spontaneous and try new things. I’m learning to be comfortable with stepping outside my comfort zone.
I’m an optimist and always hope for the best. I’m constantly questioning my old beliefs and assumptions and replacing them with more empowering ones.
What empowering beliefs have YOU chosen to adopt in your life? Do share in the comments below.