Empowerment in Bold Actions: Breaking Free by Letting Go

By Michael Kelman Portney

Empowerment often comes from bold actions that symbolize leaving behind old habits, patterns, or dependencies that no longer serve us. Sometimes, it’s an item or ritual that ties us to a past we’re ready to leave behind—an object that becomes a reminder of a habit or identity we’re trying to outgrow. For many, taking the literal step of destroying or discarding that object is an act of empowerment, a physical declaration that they're ready for change. Let’s consider a powerful example: the longtime cannabis smoker who finally smashes the pipe they’ve had since high school.

1. The Symbolic Weight of Objects

For this smoker, the pipe isn’t just a tool—it’s a connection to years of routine, memories, and perhaps a certain identity. It’s something familiar, a comfort in moments of stress or a bridge to social experiences from the past. But when trying to quit, this pipe also becomes a crutch, a symbol of a habit that’s hard to leave behind. It waits in the background, a silent reminder that, whenever the urge arises, it’s there. By smashing the pipe, the smoker is symbolically breaking the tie to those past behaviors, marking a clear step forward.

2. Taking Bold Action as a Declaration of Power

There’s a unique power in making bold, decisive actions. Smashing the pipe is more than just getting rid of it; it’s an act that requires intention and commitment. This act says, “I’m choosing my future over my past.” It transforms a passive hope for change into an active step. The physicality of destroying the pipe gives weight to the decision, making the commitment to quit feel more real and empowering.

Taking bold actions like this demands courage, as it requires a level of finality. When the pipe is broken, there’s no going back. This is the essence of empowerment: taking deliberate action, knowing that it’s a defining moment of change.

3. Empowerment Through Creating New Legacies

By smashing the pipe, the smoker is letting go of a part of their legacy—one that may have defined them in their younger years but no longer serves their present self. This action isn’t about rejecting who they were; it’s about stepping into who they want to be. The memories are still there, but the ritual has been redefined. Now, the legacy isn’t tied to a habit or an object—it’s tied to the strength it took to break free.

This act of empowerment creates a new story for the smoker: a story where they took control, actively choosing growth and self-improvement. The smashed pipe becomes part of their journey, a defining moment they can look back on as proof of their resilience.

4. Bold Actions as Milestones on the Journey to Change

Smashing the pipe is more than a one-time event; it’s a milestone that represents the journey of self-empowerment and transformation. Every time the smoker recalls this moment, they reinforce their commitment to change. It’s a reminder that they had the strength to take bold action in the past, and they can do it again whenever necessary.

In this way, bold actions like smashing the pipe become lasting symbols of empowerment. They remind us of the strength it takes to choose ourselves, our growth, and our futures over the comfort of what’s familiar. They show that empowerment isn’t just a feeling—it’s a series of bold decisions and actions that define who we are and who we’re becoming.

Conclusion: Empowerment Through Bold, Decisive Action

Empowerment doesn’t always come from gradual change; sometimes, it requires bold, decisive actions that signal a clear turning point. For the smoker who smashes their old pipe, this is a moment of self-empowerment, a way to reclaim control and commit fully to a new path. By taking this step, they leave behind a part of their legacy that no longer serves them, creating space for growth and transformation. This act of empowerment isn’t just about quitting a habit—it’s about stepping boldly into a new chapter, one defined by intentional, powerful choices.