--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The single most empowering thing we can…" description: "\"The single most empowering thing we can do for ourselves is to transform fear. While fear contains tremendous power, it doesn't propel us forward and u..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sue-thoele-16542_able_the-single-most-empowering-thing-we-can_1518345.jpg" --- # The single most empowering thing we can do for ourselves… ![“The single most empowering thing we can do for ourselves is to transform fear. While fear contains tremendous power, it doesn't propel us forward and upward, but, rather, drags us down and chains us to the past. Freeing ourselves from fear is a loving intention because, as fear subsides, we are…” quote by Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sue-thoele-16542_able_the-single-most-empowering-thing-we-can_1518345.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sue-thoele-16542_able_the-single-most-empowering-thing-we-can_1518345.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sue-thoele-16542_able_the-single-most-empowering-thing-we-can_1518345.jpg) > “The single most empowering thing we can do for ourselves is to transform fear. While fear contains tremendous power, it doesn't propel us forward and upward, but, rather, drags us down and chains us to the past. Freeing ourselves from fear is a loving intention because, as fear subsides, we are better able to access the soft, sweet power of our hearts, which naturally leads to loving ourselves and others more freely and completely.” [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear holds energy but immobilizes; transforming it releases inner strength and compassion. **In simple terms:** Changing fear frees inner power. Key Takeaway Transform fear into compassion. Themes self‑growth psychology compassion Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal therapy - leadership coaching - conflict resolution - mindfulness practice Key Concepts emotional regulation inner strength self‑love Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize fear’s grip? - What practices help sustain inner compassion? A Different Perspective Fear can resurface if not continuously addressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Chains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chains/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Drag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drag/) [Empowering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowering/) [Empowering Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowering-thing-739650/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Freeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freeing/) [Freeing Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freeing-fear-5433605/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweet/) [Transform Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transform-fear-4335015/) ## Related quotes > [We don't want to be free from fear. All that we want to do is to play games with it and talk about freeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/u-g-krishnamurti/we-don-t-want-to-be-free-from-fear-all-that-we-want-to-do-is-to-play/) [U.G. Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/u-g-krishnamurti/) > [Saying to someone 'I'm a transsexual' is the most empowering thing I've ever felt in my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/saying-to-someone-i-m-a-transsexual-is-the-most-empowering-thing-i-ve/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [“Our objective is to transform fear into hope and courage, hatred into love and respect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/our-objective-is-to-transform-fear-into-hope-and-courage-hatred-into/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [To find freedom and happiness in each others' arms, or you know, inside their own bodies and minds. That is a very empowering thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/to-find-freedom-and-happiness-in-each-others-arms-or-you-know-inside/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“The most empowering thing you can do though is to create innovative ways to bring in livable wages. That begins with a debt free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-l-bates/the-most-empowering-thing-you-can-do-though-is-to-create-innovative/) [Brandi L. Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-l-bates/) > [Putting myself out there knowing I can be criticized - it's ironic, but to me, that's the most empowering thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/putting-myself-out-there-knowing-i-can-be-criticized-it-s-ironic-but/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Being able to talk about your body openly is such an empowering thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-rocha/being-able-to-talk-about-your-body-openly-is-such-an-empowering-thing/) [Coco Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-rocha/) > [“″Don't be afraid of becoming your highest light and deepest love. Trust and follow. In freeing yourself, you will free the others.″”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nils-klippstein/don-t-be-afraid-of-becoming-your-highest-light-and-deepest-love-trust/) [Nils Klippstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nils-klippstein/) > [It is only the oppressed who, by freeing themselves, can free their oppressors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/it-is-only-the-oppressed-who-by-freeing-themselves-can-free-their/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [Those who have succeeded in attaching or detaching their minds at will have succeeded in Pratyahara, which means gathering towards, checking the outgoing powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/those-who-have-succeeded-in-attaching-or-detaching-their-minds-at/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Part of what made 'The Bling Ring' such a fun, freeing experience was that we got to wear these really over-the-top clothes we'd never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taissa-farmiga/part-of-what-made-the-bling-ring-such-a-fun-freeing-experience-was/) [Taissa Farmiga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taissa-farmiga/) > [“Hanging on to stuff doesn’t keep us more connected to people, places, or past moments. Our memories do that, so we can let go.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-meeker/hanging-on-to-stuff-doesn-t-keep-us-more-connected-to-people-places/) [Meg Meeker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-meeker/) > [Forgiveness means freeing yourself from that situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-means-freeing-yourself-from-that-situation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone hasn't got the power to free oneself and go away to another place or country... No one is capable of freeing oneself from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdellah-taia/everyone-hasn-t-got-the-power-to-free-oneself-and-go-away-to-another/) [Abdellah Taia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdellah-taia/) > [God does not redeem the personal man by death. He redeems himself by freeing himself from the personality of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-hartmann/god-does-not-redeem-the-personal-man-by-death-he-redeems-himself-by/) [Franz Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-hartmann/) ## More by Sue Thoele > [Mindfulness is being aware of yourself, others, and your surroundings in the moment. When consciously and kindly focusing awareness on life as it unfolds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/mindfulness-is-being-aware-of-yourself-others-and-your-surroundings/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Intuition is a heart message minus the static.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/intuition-is-a-heart-message-minus-the-static/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [I was struck by the fact that I hadn't been awed in a while. Did that mean awesome things had disappeared from my life?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/i-was-struck-by-the-fact-that-i-hadn-t-been-awed-in-a-while-did-that/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Fear-of not being loved, of abandonment, of being thought to be selfish-is the main thing that keeps us vulnerable and bound in the chains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/fear-of-not-being-loved-of-abandonment-of-being-thought-to-be-selfish/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Ours is the one ever-present voice in our lives. Therefore, it is crucial that our self-talk instill confidence within us and is supportive, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/ours-is-the-one-ever-present-voice-in-our-lives-therefore-it-is/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [I believe one of our souls' major purposes is to know, love, and express our authentic selves. To live the life and be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/i-believe-one-of-our-souls-major-purposes-is-to-know-love-and-express/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Ours are the arms with which God hugs and holds her children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/ours-are-the-arms-with-which-god-hugs-and-holds-her-children/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [We can learn to trust ourselves by inquiring within. To practice doing this, sit quietly, close your eyes, and for a minute focus your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/we-can-learn-to-trust-ourselves-by-inquiring-within-to-practice-doing/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [If you take a single word...and make it your own on a day-to-day basis, I hope it's choose. Being able to choose to act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/if-you-take-a-single-word-and-make-it-your-own-on-a-day-to-day-basis/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Whether we give away too much or too little of ourselves, our vitality dwindles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/whether-we-give-away-too-much-or-too-little-of-ourselves-our-vitality/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [One of the most crippling things we can do to ourselves is expect someone else to make us happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/one-of-the-most-crippling-things-we-can-do-to-ourselves-is-expect/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Become aware of your beliefs and automatic default settings. Bring them into the light of your present, adult knowledge. Gently acknowledge that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/become-aware-of-your-beliefs-and-automatic-default-settings-bring/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Maybe honeymoons are God's anesthesia. Like the "laughing gas" used by dentists, perhaps honeymoons are designed to protect us from a bit of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/maybe-honeymoons-are-god-s-anesthesia-like-the-laughing-gas-used-by/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Among women, guilt spreads with the rampant fury of bubonic plague. ... I used to feel guilty if the cat had matted fur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/among-women-guilt-spreads-with-the-rampant-fury-of-bubonic-plague-i/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) > [Creativity of all kinds focuses your mind, engages your imagination, and feeds your soul. Being creative can also facilitate understanding and encourage healing. Creativity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-thoele/creativity-of-all-kinds-focuses-your-mind-engages-your-imagination/) [Sue Thoele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) [Explore all 39 Sue Thoele quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-thoele/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. 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