My thoughts in response to
@promisesunshine blog -
power. (though I think I took quite a different spin after reading the comments.)
It may seem: "the power belongs to those who care the least" - anonymous (can't find a source) (
@be_the_rain)
I beg to differ that this statement holds real truth. I think it is a perceived power, but not real. Ultimately I think the one with the power to put themselves in a place of vulnerability is indeed far more powerful than the one who lacks care, compassion and love. It takes a lot to be strong enough to be transparent. To offer yourself and love to others who do not value it.
If caring about someone means that when they don't care in return, they assume power over you is the case, then its not really power unless you give them that. No person can control you unless you allow them to, at least in the sense of caring for others.
To me, confidence, assurance.... these are the true power. These are the things it takes to love without remorse, to give yourself without fear. These are the things we need to change the world with love.
Comments (10)
@IntoTheWind1 - why thank you. I thought it was going to be longer, but I'm sure if someone replies with anything contrary I will have more to solidify my point =]
"Ultimately I think the one with the power to put themselves in a place of vulnerability is indeed far more powerful than the one who lacks care, compassion and love."
You can be a compassionate,loving person without being vulnerable. I think it's all about balance. You have to be wise about your vulnerabilities. Being aware of when it isn't advantageous to be vulnerable doesn't mean that you lack the ability to love or care.
Then you say:
" If caring about someone means that when they don't care in return, they assume power over you is the case, then its not really power unless you give them that. No person can control you unless you allow them to, at least in the sense of caring for others."
Isn't this a contradiction of your fist assertion? Vulnerability, by definition, IS putting yourself in a position to be hurt. It's recognizing that it's a possibility, yet choosing to move forward anyway.
I don't know. I enjoyed your post. I did. Just thought I'd give my opinion.
i think we're talking about different things here. so many meanings and aspects for one word.
*i believe you are talking about the perceived power we give to someone else when we love them more than they love us. and i think you say the real power lies within our ability to love freely regardless of the return of our love. i agree. it is a powerful and beautiful thing to be brave that way and the power is ours.
*i believe be-the-rain was meaning that truly powerful people are the ones who are not seeking power. a little tao for my friend, if i'm correct. but i love that.
*the power i was referring to had absolutely nothing to do with love. i was referring to people in authority who may or may not intentionally abuse that power if we let their words and actions hurt us.
i think we could all write a post about power and we'd end up with thousands of viewpoints and perspectives.
incidentally, i'm thrilled that something i wrote inspired you. i love how we're all interconnected here in cyberspace.
@promisesunshine - Oh certainly, all sorts of perspectives, mine took on a relational perspective of love and compassion. It's where I am in life right now so hit me there =]
i appreciated your reply, you seemed to understand the perspective I took.
i love when another blogger inspires =]
@amateurprose -
You can be a compassionate,loving personwithout being vulnerable. I think it's all about balance. You have to be
wise about your vulnerabilities. Being aware of when it isn't
advantageous to be vulnerable doesn't mean that you lack the ability to
love or care. -
I can agree, to an extent, maybe one day i will find that I am wrong, but thus far, my vulnerabilities/transparency seems to just make me feel more powerful, more in control. I think you can still be compassionate and loving without being vulnerable, but I also think it takes on quite a different kind of love even power when it comes from a place of transparency and vulnerability.
" If caring about someone means that when
they don't care in return, they assume power over you is the case, then
its not really power unless you give them that. No person can control
you unless you allow them to, at least in the sense of caring for
others." - this could have been worded better, but I do not think its a contradiction.
just because we choose to be vulnerable does not mean we are asking to be hurt. The definition does not require that being hurt happens so much as it does mean that you 'could be hurt'. If that makes sense. I am hurt less the more I know who I am. The more confident I am, the more strength I have to put my self in a place where I will be challenged, persecuted even... but even though i might be hurt there, the more I grow, the less I receive pain and the stronger I am because of it.
I hope that brought some clarity.
Good points made here. Thanks for sharing.
@theKisSilent - Thanks for reading!!
I read this first and agreed, but @promisesunshine - 's reply and entry totally makes sense too. Depends on how you read it
. I first thought it meant something along the lines of "those who work hard don't get anywhere, and those who don't care ge more than they deserve" (which I would have disagreed with). Anyway, interesting.
@PocketfulOfDreams - yes, I agree with her reply also. =]