Sovereignty and Why it Matters
Sovereignty* isn’t a term used much in casual conversation. Sovereignty is generally defined as being the ultimate power or authority over (someone or something). It also refers to someone or thing of distinction, of the highest quality or caliber. Personal sovereignty then is about being the ultimate power over yourself and the land that is your path, your life. It’s akin to free will.
When I talk of free will, I don’t mean passive awareness or understanding that we have the ability to choose. The free will of sovereignty requires that you actively wield choice. For clarification, doing what you want is not the same as being sovereign. Exercising personal sovereignty may not be at all about what we want. To rise to a place of excellence, sometimes we must choose instead to do what is necessary. Speaking of necessary, let’s talk a little about both why this matters and why I approach it the way I do in my work.
You probably get that there’s a huge difference between someone who is sovereign and someone who feels at the mercy of the people or the world around them. Obviously the person who is sovereign feels empowered and more satisfied with their life because they’re actively choosing it. The person who is at the mercy of others will likely feel frustrated and stressed out to the point of burnout, anxiety or depression. While you may not regularly toss around the term sovereignty, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. We’ve all been there, on both sides.
Sovereignty is serious business. To wield choice, you have to own it. Personal responsibility is the calling card of the sovereign. You’re now navigating by your personal ethic and integrity, which means if you go against it, you go against yourself. As I said, serious business. The sheer weight of responsibility and power of choice is exactly why I like to invite in enchantment and wonder. Enchantment and wonder feel lighter, free and full of possibility. Aligning with this energy helps to create the mental and emotional shift needed to truly own the power of choice.
How do we embrace or cultivate personal sovereignty? Start with a well known adage to those on the spiritual path, know thyself. Identifying your values, goals, desires and patterns act as signposts. Then begin gathering tools and practices for your toolkit that support the process, while building a team both human and more than human to act as inspirators and guides. Everything culminating in an empowered way forward to consciously create your direction and destination. For me, this is one of the most rewarding paths to personal sovereignty.
*Even though explored through a different lens here, it’s not possible for me to write about sovereignty without a nod and virtual kisses to Griffin Ced and my Ced Family. While sovereignty wasn’t a new word to me, I’m pretty sure I never really fully considered or understood it before meeting them.