You are not responsible for anyone else’s happiness.

Have people in your life ever made you feel like you have to go along with their decisions in order to keep peace? This is common in controlling relationships, but even healthy relationships can experience decision-related conflicts.

True empowerment is having the strength to make the decisions that are right for you, even if others don’t always agree with them. When other people will be affected by your decisions it’s a good idea to work cooperatively with them, but you may also be tempted to allow others to influence decisions that involve only yourself. Most often this is done in an attempt to avoid conflict or disagreement, but it doesn’t serve you in the long run. When it comes right down to it, you are not responsible for keeping anyone happy other than yourself, and you can empower yourself to make the choices that are right for you – regardless of what others may say or think about them.

What important choices are right for you in your life now?
  

You are in charge of your own happiness.

Just as you are not responsible for others’ happiness, neither are they responsible for yours! Disempowerment can often make you believe that you are reliant on the words or actions of others for your sense of happiness and contentment, but this type of attitude only keeps you stuck in feelings of helplessness.

Instead, use your power of choice to do the things that will make you happy. These decisions might relate to your work, residence, relationships and more – and they may not be easy decisions to follow through on.

What will make you happy?