My Power
My first reaction if someone were to call me a Power woman is to say I'm not. Whether we chose to admit it or not, our society is designed for women to support men in power, not to have it themselves. But deeper examination reveals that this reaction is to traditional power, a power that I don't even want, but is offered as our only path to "success." This "power over" has built a world that uses more resources than it has, and set humanity on a path to extinction. This power, which organizations invite us to prove our worthiness to, is designed for the short game. My power is designed for the long term.
Beyond the urge to make more money and dominate others lies the power I nurture - human agency. A deeper power within all of us, to combine, to create, to judge, to choose, to influence. A power to do the right thing, even when it is difficult; especially when it is difficult. This power is receptive, coming from a place of truth and expansiveness. A power that can be shared with others, not distracted by dominance. A power that, when connected with other empowered people, can meet the complexities of tomorrow and move us into a paradigm that cares about our planet and all life. A feminine power that resides in both genders, but has lived at the mercy of masculine power for too long and must reclaim its place in the balance, which requires great strength.
My power lies in the choices I make to move through today's pain, to stay with it and let it inform the choices I make tomorrow. Being a Power woman means showing up within this paradigm to help shape the next.