The real struggle came when I came to the conclusion that the people I see as abusing their power really believe that they are doing the right thing for the right reason. A means to an end, if you will, regardless of the vileness of their acts. It also occurred to me that some of these people realize how powerful people are and wish to either prevent people from using it or wish to harness it for themselves for their own purposes. There is even a specific group of people who believe that it is their right to molest and abuse children for their own gratification.
There is a whole list of things that turn my stomach that involves the abuse of personal and collective power. The religious arena is not the only abuse of power I see going on. It is done in politics, business, it is done in schools and in the home. It is wide spread throughout all sectors of society. It is enough for those of moral fortitude to deem the use and acquisition of power as a thing to be avoided lest it corrupt you.
The problem is simply this: while those who are of moral fiber are putting stoppers and limits to personal power, those who are polluting the environment for profit, those who are creating unjust and inane laws, those who are creating toxic business transactions and those who seek religious dominion are most certainly NOT. This can only result in tragedy. If we do not embrace the idea that we are powerful and able and moral, then those who are not will continue to spread deluded doctrines unfettered and unchallenged.
I thought about this and about how I am bringing up my children. Eventually, they will have to face these very issues of power on their own. I don't want them to go out into the world and think that power itself is evil. I want them to walk through this place knowing that power is power and having power does not define you. It is the way you choose to use your power that DOES. I want them to be able to identify in their hearts what the right thing for the right reason is. I want them to know that they are powerful enough to seek it out and be able manifest their goals.
Power is power. It is naked and raw. There is nothing evil or vile about it.
I shall not fear. Fear is the mind killer. . .
Fantastic post. I try to remember everyday, as I gain 'power' in my local community, that Peter Parker's Uncle Ben had it 100% right; With great power comes great responsibility. What I think so many people miss, and you speak of beautifully, is that responsibility also means knowing when to use one's 'power'.
ReplyDeletePower gets thrown around too much in todays world. Many use their power to get what they want, not to do good for mankind. It's become a very selfish, everyone for themselves, dog eat dog kind of world. I know this sounds cynical but it's how I see it and I don't like it one bit. I try very hard to change it from my own little corner of the world, but it's so much bigger than me.
ReplyDeleteWe are most powerful when we are not afraid.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Nalaya!
ReplyDeleteEloquent as always, and truthful. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteWhile you are right about power having no flavor, the intention with which one uses one's power does not always guarantee that the outcome will be "good". One example I remember from my university courses was the difference between Asian and African countries following WWII - the Asian countries were mostly neglected, people left to starve and fight, and Western countries only moved in for business. That forced many of these countries (and the people living there) to give their best, develop survival skills and build a strong foundation, and these days China, Japan and India (among others) are on a good way to wealth and social security (I am not talking political stability or even justice, that's a different topic). African countries, on the other hand, are stuffed with well-meant donations, and in many cases, as research has proven, this does manipulate the "fight or die" development necessary for the countries (and people) to become strong. So, would it be a better use of power to say, "We'll withdraw and let people starve and die now so they may be strong in the future" - or would it be better to feed them now and risk that they will remain poor and dependent on external support for a long time? Talk about the power to destroy lives...
ReplyDeleteDIandra, you are absolutely correct. Good intention does not equal wisdom.
ReplyDelete