Alice Walker pinpoints a subtle yet devastating form of self-sabotage. Personal power—the ability to influence our own lives and circumstances—is often surrendered not to an external oppressor, but to our own thoughts.

The belief "I don't have any power" is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It leads to passivity, victimhood, and inaction. When you believe you are powerless, you stop trying to change things, and thus, you become powerless. The act of believing you have no power is, in fact, the very act of giving it away.

This quote is a wake-up call to reclaim your agency. It reminds us that our power begins with our mindset. The first step toward empowerment is to reject the disempowering story that you are helpless and to recognize the inherent power you have to choose your response and direct your life.