Redefining Power A Journey of Reinvention, Resilience, and Real Impact by Debbie Harris
Power doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it builds over time, in moments of grace, grit, and gut instinct. Aren’t we all Women of Power? Isn’t power the ability to push through, to reinvent, to care for others, to dream, and to speak your voice? All of that has taken me decades. I have always admired women who seem to know exactly what they want, and do not stop until they get it. Doctors, lawyers, corporate execs, entrepreneurs building large companies, or choosing to stay home and raise a family. They seem so certain of their voice. I never was. I wanted to be an actress, then a psychologist, then a lawyer. I didn’t do any of those because I always had
this deep sense that experiences, time, and relationships was key to a fulfilling life.
“The belief that you CANNOT have it all... you must CHOOSE between a career and happiness...”
Looking back, I believe a lot of this may stem from a very difficult, emotionally damaging childhood. The belief that you CANNOT have it all, that you must CHOOSE between a career and happiness. Also, my infant heart surgery which my family never discussed, and told me to keep secret may have led me to think I had to do everything young. The surgery did not impact me physically after it was done, and yet my family’s weirdness about it tainted me for decades with anxiety and fear, having panic attacks anytime I was near a doctor or hospital. This is a classic case of fear, trauma, and anxiety born out of silence. It was years later that I had the courage to ask a physician to explain it to me. Add that to very young parents, a narcissistic, emotionally abusive father who left when I was 5, an out-of-control younger brother, and well, you get it. Decades of feeling “not good enough”, “time is short”, and all the other crap that emotional trauma at a very young age can bring. Bottom line, there is power in never ever giving up on yourself. The search may take you far and wide, but it’s worth it. The power lies continuing to explore, to push through fear, to reinvent, to learn, and to build relationships
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