Power

My most recent assignment for grad school is a concept analysis of the concept "power". What this means is that I get to write a paper about what power is and what it is not. That seams like it should be pretty simple right? Consider it for a moment. What is power and what does it mean to you? What sort of emotions does it stir? Does the word make you feel good or bad? Power can be utilized in several different way. When someone says the word power most people think about control over others and influence over them. This can be described as 'power over'. When I think of power in this way it gives me a creepy feeling. Nurses rarely feel comfortable with power that is described this way. But another definition and way to think about power is 'power to'. This refers to ones ABILITY or CAPACITY to achieve their goals. As a peaceful but powerful person I myself am much more comfortable with considering power from this angle.

As I contemplated this concept I began to wonder how often people recognize the power that they hold within themselves. Each one of us wields limitless power in our everyday lives and we almost never recognize it. Each one of us has the ability and capacity to reach our goals and that is PURE POWER. I recently was interviewing for a job I REALLY wanted and one of the people interviewing me asked me "what is your dream job?" Immediately my mothers voice came into my head saying "honesty is the best policy". Without hesitating I said... "getting paid to be a photographer... but since that is not so likely let me tell you why I would LOVE this job" Needless to say... I did not get that job. At first I thought... well clearly mom was WRONG honesty is not ALWAYS the best policy... but then I began thinking... Each one of us has infinite POWER (capacity or ability to achieve our goals) so why shouldn't I take this change in plans as a chance to follow that goal and make it a reality. I am not expecting to be able to pay my bills as a landscape photographer, but I do intend to take this "missed opportunity" for promotion in my career and turn it into a seized opportunity for a promotion in my life. I have not been out shooting much lately because I can always find a school/work/relationship reason NOT to shoot... but I plan to harness my power and turn it in the direction of my bliss. What goal have you been choosing not to achieve because you did not realize you had the power to do it? Think about it and consider what has been getting in your way. I think most of us would realize only WE have been getting in our own way.