Power vs strength
Recently my friend Mark posted one of my favorite quotes from Tao Te Ching. 33.
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering myself is true
power.”
I was reminded that there are many sources and types of strength. These include:
All of us or certainly most of us know someone who has used brute force to force someone to do something positive or negative. One might use brute force to force a child, spouse, or the employee of a business to do something. One might use brute force aided by other weapons such as guns to force someone to surrender to one’s will. One might also use brute force to hold someone down during an emergency surgery or to prevent the person from harming himself or herself. One might use the threat of brute force to get someone to do something in an emergency situation. One might often use physical strength to protect a child from doing something dangerous.
One might use psychological or emotional strength to get through a tough situation or to push oneself past one’s comfort zone. One might also use psychological or emotional blackmail to force someone to do something they do not want to do.
One might use intellectual strength to win a debate, to market a product or hold someone captive (in a marriage or any other relationship.
Many use economic strength to reward a person for doing something good for the company, the community or even an individual. During this holiday season organization for collecting money to buy a food basket to give to families. One might also use economic strength to force someone to do something which is not consistent with their desires or needs.
Power, on the other hand, is always internal. Power shows that I have the honestly, courage and willingness to embark on a journey of knowing myself, formulating a set of core values, and holding on to those values no matter what anyone else does or threatens. Power is Rosa Parks saying no, “I will not give up my seat and move to the back of the bus.” Power is Bigger Thomas saying to the police person, “Man you can’t do anything to me, but kill me and that ain’t nothin.” Power is Jesus forgiving Judas. Power is not allowing anxiety, addiction, cancer or some other disease to define me or my journey. Power is saying that I will not stop loving you no matter how much you try to push me away. Power is standing up when sitting down would be easier. Power is loving one’s “enemy” even though others say that is to Pollyanna. Power is not accepting the invitation to join the negative energy of someone. Power is not taking the other person or oneself so seriously while still loving them.
Power is singing along with Gloria Gaynor, “I wall survive.” Power is the message of Nikki Giovanni’s poem, “Ego- Tripping.
Strength is often temporary. It can be take away at any time. Power can be given away but never taken away.
Today I will continue on my journey of claiming my power.
Written November 16, 2018
Recently my friend Mark posted one of my favorite quotes from Tao Te Ching. 33.
“Mastering others is strength. Mastering myself is true
power.”
I was reminded that there are many sources and types of strength. These include:
- Physical strength
- Psychological or emotional strength
- Intellectual Strength
- Economic Strength
All of us or certainly most of us know someone who has used brute force to force someone to do something positive or negative. One might use brute force to force a child, spouse, or the employee of a business to do something. One might use brute force aided by other weapons such as guns to force someone to surrender to one’s will. One might also use brute force to hold someone down during an emergency surgery or to prevent the person from harming himself or herself. One might use the threat of brute force to get someone to do something in an emergency situation. One might often use physical strength to protect a child from doing something dangerous.
One might use psychological or emotional strength to get through a tough situation or to push oneself past one’s comfort zone. One might also use psychological or emotional blackmail to force someone to do something they do not want to do.
One might use intellectual strength to win a debate, to market a product or hold someone captive (in a marriage or any other relationship.
Many use economic strength to reward a person for doing something good for the company, the community or even an individual. During this holiday season organization for collecting money to buy a food basket to give to families. One might also use economic strength to force someone to do something which is not consistent with their desires or needs.
Power, on the other hand, is always internal. Power shows that I have the honestly, courage and willingness to embark on a journey of knowing myself, formulating a set of core values, and holding on to those values no matter what anyone else does or threatens. Power is Rosa Parks saying no, “I will not give up my seat and move to the back of the bus.” Power is Bigger Thomas saying to the police person, “Man you can’t do anything to me, but kill me and that ain’t nothin.” Power is Jesus forgiving Judas. Power is not allowing anxiety, addiction, cancer or some other disease to define me or my journey. Power is saying that I will not stop loving you no matter how much you try to push me away. Power is standing up when sitting down would be easier. Power is loving one’s “enemy” even though others say that is to Pollyanna. Power is not accepting the invitation to join the negative energy of someone. Power is not taking the other person or oneself so seriously while still loving them.
Power is singing along with Gloria Gaynor, “I wall survive.” Power is the message of Nikki Giovanni’s poem, “Ego- Tripping.
Strength is often temporary. It can be take away at any time. Power can be given away but never taken away.
Today I will continue on my journey of claiming my power.
Written November 16, 2018
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