Your Power
In setting up this site I wanted to offer any help I could to support and enable you to be your own counsellor and coach. I aim to share some books which I hope you will find helpful, alongside my own thoughts and articles. I really value any feedback that you have to offer, any thoughts you have, and also any topics that you would like me to talk more about.
By way of introduction, I want to focus on just one thing: your power.
It’s often hard to realise how much power we each have. Life can make us feel powerless, pulled along by a current of other peoples’ wishes and desires, pulled along by what society demands of us and chased around by our own insecurities. When we don’t realise how much power resides within us, to change things, to look at things differently, to focus on new things, to accept things and yet not be defeated, we can easily get pulled along to a place we don’t want to be in. We then become rather like a raft adrift at sea. Out there, in the middle of nowhere, we lose a sense of direction, wander aimlessly without focus, and find our strength failing with no hope of a new power source.
The most important thing to realise and remember is how much power we do actually have in our own lives. Even in the worst of circumstances most of us do have some personal power and this is the part we need to focus on. When Terry Waite was held captive as a hostage, all those years ago, he had no physical power, but he used his mind to stay sane and to remain undefeated. I am not an advocate of the ‘you can do anything’ or ‘you can have everything you dream of’ school of thinking. I believe that, for the majority of us, these are usually inaccurate statements and empty promises. However, I do think that we often have more control over our lives than we realise. And once we recognise this and decide to seize our own power then we are no longer adrift, no longer powerless and no longer living unfulfilled lives. Most of us ‘cannot do anything we want’ and ‘cannot get everything we dream of’ but most of us can get more joy and fulfilment from the life we actually have by realistically utilising the power which resides within us.
Yes yes yes Ruth – I hear you — and belive this too. Tapping into the deepest part of self yields more personal power than we would ever be able to predict. So much influence from our youngest years- re: family, society, government, religion etc. I think your post is important to remind people that within them ….lies the greatest resource of all! Blessings and Love ~ Robyn
We agree Robyn – which is no surprise at all! So pleased you enjoyed the post and you are spot on to highlight the resources we have within us that are so often untapped. Next week there is a little more on finding these inner resources, which is the most important thing. I will be over to visit again soon – love to you too, Ruth x
Everything you wrote here really speaks to me, Ruth, on so many levels. I’m looking forward to reading your posts as this is something I’m really trying to work on in my own life. Thank you for doing something good to help others. I think your personal experience lends a great deal of credibility to your mission.
Thanks so much Angela for stopping by and for your great encouragement and lovely words. We are definitely on the same page with these things! Ruth 🙂
To believe in ones self and to believe one can achieve what you want, can be a very strong incentive to success… however I still maintain that if one remains positive.. and can expel any feelings of negativity… one will succeed… I love what I read above… too many people believe they have no power or control over their own destiny… I believe what I have and don’t have are my own creations…
Hi Rob, Yes, so crucial to believe in ourselves. I am a positive realist – you can dream big but make your dreams realistically achievable. It is all to easy to pick unrealistic goals which we have no chance of achieving – however much effort we put in – and this is always sad to see. A positive outlook is essential and dreams and reality do work together. So glad you enjoyed the post and thanks so much for your great comment. I’ll see you soon! Ruth 🙂
Hello Ruth,
Are not our “super-egos” a source of “power” That person that will out, the person we present to the World. Me.
Pleased to meet you Ruth.
Hi Kenny, Thanks so much for popping in – lovely to see you. Definitely, if we go with Freud, ‘super-egos’ are a vital source of power as this is the part that governs our values and morality. Where would we be without this check on ourselves? Although, when we look around us, more is needed I often think! I will be back over to see you soon – really enjoyed hearing ‘Ride On’ on your playlist! Best to you, Ruth 🙂
You know, I really believe everything you say in this post but it is so very hard to believe when you have thought a certain way for such a long time.
Thanks for this Ruth,
Chris.x
Thanks so much for popping by Chris – really appreciate that when things are so tough for you. The thing is Chris, contrary to what is often put forward, you don’t actually need belief at the start, just doing is enough, do anything which supports positive things. Belief can come later – research backs this approach up. Action is the key, however small it may seem, each piece of positive behaviour helps the mind. (My book review a week on Monday might be interesting for you.) Sending strength to you, Ruth x