Empowering ourselves and others

|Abish V., 16, California|

Social media can be both positive and negative depending on its message. If we look at the positive of social media, it can teach us new hacks, DIYs, new cooking recipes, inspiring and empowering messages. If we see the negative of social media we will find all that we are not, and how imperfect and far from society’s notion of beauty we are.

How can we protect ourselves from the negative side of social media? The best way is through empowerment, empowering ourselves and others. Before we try to empower others we must empower ourselves first. Empowering ourselves through knowledge, knowledge about who we truly are. Elder Richard G.Scott asks,

“ As a (woman) of this generation, what are you doing to realize your extraordinary potential? Will you nurture it and rise to exceptional heights of accomplishment and happiness?… with all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the spirit your divinely given capacities…”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Realize Your Full Potential”, Ensign October 2003.

In order to answer Elder Scott’s questions, we can turn to the person that knows us best, Jesus Christ. Through faith, testimonies, and scripture study we can develop our divine nature and individual worth. We will have the knowledge of who we truly are. we will begin to see ourselves the way the Lord sees us. This knowledge will empower our spiritual and earthly growth. With our newfound empowerment, we can empower those around us. We don’t have to empower others to run a marathon or climb Mt. Everest, we simply share our love with small gestures like a text with scriptures that remind us of them. At times others are going through personal trials in private, though our light given by the spirt we can empower them. It is like one candle lighting another, pretty soon the darkness fades and the light of those spiritually empowered will shine. When you are empowered with the knowledge of who you are you empower others through leadership. Ministering and young woman leadership are powerful opportunities to reach and empower other young women.

The traits of an empowered young woman are Honesty, friendliness, positivity, love, and charity. Imagine if we all had these traits, then there will be no room for self-doubt, comparison, and latching on to negative social media. Remembering the words found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” Will help us to find the motivation to empower ourselves ad those around us. Everyone deserves to see themselves the way The Lord sees us. Begin with yourself, knowledge is empowerment.