What Is "Personal Power"
Our society as a whole tends to be narrow minded regarding any person or any belief outside the currently popular perception of the "norm", whatever that is. It seems that the "norm" may just be the path of least resistance. Many people have strong feelings on many subjects, and chafe under the pressures to conform, to go along with the majority opinion. Most of all, there is a fear of rejection and ridicule if one dares to make waves or express a thought that may make others uncomfortable. Often we talk about the power of our thoughts and actions, but sadly this remains an abstract theory for many. This is one of those areas where we nod our heads and agree, but wimp out when the time comes to put that theory into action.
Many ask why circles are so prevalent in spirit work. It's because there is no one individual in control. All are equal. The actions of one travels around the circle and affects each member in some manner. It's all part of understanding personal power. When you drop a pebble into water, the ripples move outward become larger and larger touching everything in their path, in perfect circles. So it is with our lives. We change society, and the world, one person at a time.....always beginning with ourselves. We can never know how a single word or act can impact another, who in turn experiences a change in attitude that impacts another, and so the circle grows. It all began with the pebble: the individual.
So many people say to me that there is nothing they can do. They have no "power". They really don't understand about power. We have absolute, God-given POWER. We are the only ones who do have power over ourselves. We have the power to have faith and a belief system in something that touches us and serves us well; and we have the power not to. We have the power to decide to follow whatever has been fed to us throughout our lives, never asking questions, never seeking to learn more, never exploring the options that fill our world. It's easier to just accept, and continue on our predetermined path. To question, to challenge, to even discuss would make our families and friends uncomfortable.
We have the power to be positive and even happy in the face of great adversity. That same power allows us to wallow in self-pity, depression and the depths of black despair. No outside force is doing that "to us". We do it to ourselves. We have the power to make another person happy...or sad. We have the power to perform a kind act for another...or ignore their need. We have the power to be an island of calm and peace when turmoil surrounds us...or we can be confrontational and jump into the fray. We have the power to be a trusted confidant of great value to others...or we can be a mean spirited gossip who thrives on creating ill will.
If we feel inadequate in some area, or we don't know as much about the events that impact our lives, we have the power to learn; to educate ourselves. We can read and explore, ask questions and discuss. Don't understand the words that are used? Ask what they mean. There are dictionaries, encyclopedias, and many forms of reference that we can use. It is no longer necessary to buy expensive reference materials for they can all be found online, in greater numbers than you can imagine. You only have to search. Too proud to admit you need help? Embarrassed to admit you don't understand something? Too stubborn to seek greater knowledge and understanding? Your loss. You are giving away your power, and your responsibility to be all that you can be.
The list goes on and on, but I think you get the picture. We have total power to be who and what we choose to be, and live that path in the manner that is right for us. Even when outside events that we can't control do happen to us - and they do - we are the only ones who have the power to decide how we will react and deal with it. We can be defeated by events, or we can acknowledge the challenge by looking it in the face and finding a way to learn and grow from the experience. We all know the many stories of people who have risen out of impossible circumstances to become valuable and influential citizens. There is nothing special about them except their determination, their will, and the wise use of their personal power.
We are the true source of power. We can do anything. We have the power. Do we have the courage?