“The Power to create is within.
We create our own results and experiences.”
Power is an aphrodisiac in our culture. It is a drug that seeps into the far reaches of our subconscious and controls our lives. Everyday we are bombarded with images of ‘power.’ These images become imprinted in our subconscious mind. We open memory files which validate that power comes from the outer world. We are taught to believe that we can have more powerful careers, successful relationships or social approval if we upgrade our possessions, improve our looks, acquire more money or prestigious position. Advertisements continually reinforce this belief enticing us to buy into our culture’s view of power.
Eventually, most of us do buy this image of power. Since outer power becomes the key to success and happiness, naturally, we set out to acquire it. Our sense of value becomes tied to our acquisitions, appearance, achievements and status symbols. As we buy this view, we loose a sense of inner self worth. We give our power to external standards, believing there is something wrong with us. We lose sight of honoring and respect the inner self and do not value the development of inner power. Acquiring outer power to the exclusion of inner power does not result in happiness. On the contrary, it leads to extreme frustration, stress and discontent. True power emanates from being awake, living in the moment with pure consciousness and from developing and using our inner power to create results that have a profound positive impact on ourselves, others and the world around us.
Power is the energy of life that pulses in all of creation. We experience this energy as a life force, a presence or inner spirit. Our thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviors are all expressions of this energy. We can express this energy in a negative or a positive way, thus decreasing or increasing our energy. Since it takes energy to create results, it is beneficial to focus on increasing our energy.
We give our power away, when in fear. We do not use our power to achieve goals, solve problems, or resolve conflicts and challenges. We can deny our inner power by believing that we are helpless victims, under the control of a force outside of ourselves. People and other external influences did play a significant role in shaping our perceptions, beliefs and values when we were children. As adults, it is up to us to determine how we use our inner power by choosing what we think, feel or believe and how to behave.
We live with reduced vitality and give our power away when we allow other people or out-dated values to control our lives. We disconnect from our inner source of energy–our creativity, uniqueness and life force. We avoid risk taking and developing our talents to our fullest potential. Likewise, if we use our power to attempt to control others, we dissipate their energy as well as our own. We do not give them the opportunity to use their energy freely and creatively, choose their beliefs, develop their potential or implement their own goals. We may feel powerful and experience a temporary boost of energy, but this outer-based energy cannot sustain itself in the long run.
As we release our fears and connect with our inner power on a deeper level, we express our energy effortlessly. We tap into and express a deeper, richer level of talent and creativity. We experience the excitement of using this power to achieve our life purpose, solve challenges, empower others, and make a difference in our communities and the world.
Moving off the Edge©, Rita George, The Edge, 1992
“We are responsible for the results we create.
There is no one to blame.”
The Principles of Power and the Principle of Responsibility go hand-in-hand. When we deny or ignore our inner power, we abdicate responsibility. We don’t believe we have the power to achieve or change. We look to others to accept responsibility for our lives. Relinquishing responsibility and accountability, we are out of integrity with ourselves and others. As we reclaim, own and use our inner power, we also reclaim responsibility for the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, actions and reactions that create our experiences and outcomes. In addition, we become more aware of the subtle ways we give our power away, allow others to steal our power, and undermine our self-esteem.
For instance, we abdicate responsibility when we continually ‘re-hash’ unresolved issues, repeat grievances from the past or make excuses for ourselves. We talk endlessly about a problem, but never resolve the underlying pain, confusion or conflict. When we blame others for our problems and decisions, we see ourselves as a victim and we fail to come to grips with the role we played in creating that scenario.
We may also think we cannot take care of ourselves. We end up allowing others to take responsibility for us, control our life direction and set our goals. We may even shift our focus, and attempt to change others–believing that we need to get them to think, feel and act like us to solve our dilemma or to be happier and more successful. However, when we attempt to rescue others, we do not take responsibility for changing, learning and empowering ourselves. We may fantasize or talk about changing our career or a relationship but never implement these ideas or dreams.
Unfortunately, our friends are not the only ones who listen to these problems or wishful thinking. The subconscious mind also hears these negative messages. When we give our power away by focusing on negative thoughts, feelings and behavior, we gradually lose confidence in our ability to change. Our subconscious ends up believing it does not have the power or energy to take action and achieve our goals. By refusing to reclaim our inner power and accept responsibility for our lives, we undermine our self-esteem and remain physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually unbalanced.
When we accept responsibility for our lives, we live from a place of authenticity. Operating with increased awareness and consciousness, we act, react, think and feel with integrity. Honoring and respecting ourselves, we are true to our goals needs, and values. We communicate our truth with ease. Initiating steps to resolve past wounds and trauma, we heal and create balance in our lives. We acknowledge and accept responsibility for the choices we made and the role we played in creating outcomes, as well as affirm our power to make new choices and create different results.
Moving off the Edge©, Rita George, The Edge, 1992
More about the Isis Blueprint is in Stories from the Edge: Nine Principles for Lasting Transformation