On Power and What It Is

One of the things that gets talked about a lot is power and the attainment of it.

There’s the concept of mystical force power, the idea that esoteric study of the dark side can enhance one’s life.

There’s the concept of empowerment, where you become so powerful within yourself that you live the life you want and are, in effect, untouchable.

There’s physical power which does not get often discussed; the ability to physically overpower another person or cause them injury or death.

There’s political power, the ability to influence people within a given jurisdiction – things like becoming president of the neighborhood watch committee, or a senator or state representative.

Then there’s financial power, which also does not get often talked about – but literally the ability to “hire and fire,” to determine someone else’s income and employment status.

People talk a lot about the pursuit of power, but what kind of power they actually are looking for varies. Analysis of one’s relationships to all these types of power is crucial.

Example: political powerI just can’t help but notice incompetence. I often end up speaking up and as a result I often get put in leadership positions. It is a reaction to the incompetence of others, thus it is largely reactionary. But it is not a compensation; I’ve always been comfortable shouldering the hard decisions. Is it a passion? Interestingly I see that leadership in and of itself does not interest me; some people are passionate about management, no matter what it is. I am not. I have one or two organizations I am a part of that I care about very deeply and want to see with strong leadership – my own leadership or others’. Perhaps it is also compensation, because I am “compensating” for an overall lack of good leadership?

A Sith can choose an area of focus, but to talk about power, one ought to have experience with it, know where they have it, and know what they do not know. Power is power, you either have it or you don’t, and analysis of where one has it and where one lacks it and where one WANTS it is a must for anyone who claims they are in pursuit of it.