Empowerment - what does that really mean?

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

 Harold Thurman Whitman

I love the above quote, for me I believe it has a lot to do with living an empowered life. Through working with my personal development program I have been contemplating what empowerment really is? When processing such information I usually come back to my mothering as an example. As a mother, to help my children when they were babies I needed to do a lot for them and as they grew I let go a little and offered my hand and my encouragement  however I could not do it for them ( i admit sometimes I did - as a caring mum wanting their lives to be a little easier), mostly I allowed them to find their own way and  Icontinue to do so into their  young adulthood. I am there offering support, mostly listening and always encouraging.
 As a Life Coach I see my role pretty much the same, listening, guiding and encouraging and then when they are strong again, letting go so they can find their own way again.
To do what ones loves in life sometimes takes a lot of courage and through being willing to get in touch with that courage, which is in all of us, we can feel incredibly empowered, on purpose and in charge of our lives.
I love supporting and encouraging others , to tell them " Anything is Possible" and be their cheer squad if that is what they need to make the changes the seek. I am getting to do that in a bigger arena now and I am loving it. What does empowerment mean for you?