Power vs. Force

I read something interesting the other day. It was this idea about the difference between 'power' and 'force' when it comes to our response to situations in our lives. When it comes to accomplishing something, we use either power or force to achieve results.

The difference is that 'power' is an internal thing; a source of energy based on a desire to achieve one's maximum potential. 'Force' is an external thing; a source of energy based on attempting to achieve victory over the existant obstacles which stand in the way. Where there is force, there is always a counter-force. A pushback. Every action creates an equal and opposite reaction. Your goal is to pull together enough force to overcome that counter-force. This is an inherently defensive stance. It's a question of 'can I succeed?'.. success, in this case, being measured as the ability to rise above the pushback. The author was suggesting that when a human being thinks along those lines, they are inherently weaker than when they think from a stance of power. He used this example:

Stand with your arm stretched straight out from your body and have somebody push down on that arm while you attempt to resist the push. While doing this, think about a current work or school situation from a position of force. Ask yourself, 'Can I make it? Will I have what it takes to succeed?' Then, do the same drill, but while doing so, get past the concept of achieving success as determined by some human-divised 'system', or success as determined by another person. Rather, think only about the concept of maximizing on your potential, on becoming the human being you were created to be.

He suggests that you will find it much easier, physically, to resist the weight on your arms the second time through based solely on your thoughts.

I want to try to think about this over the next while. I think it's true. When life is happening, I often find myself crippled by attempts to succeed by 'force.' The measuring stick associated with that mindset tends to breed a sense of anxiety and paranoia. By approaching things from a position of 'power', I'm focused only on becoming more 'me'.

A hockey player who is racing after a loose puck thinking only about beating his opponent to the puck will not be as fast as a hockey player who is racing after a loose puck thinking only about reaching his maximum potential speed.

The most powerful person in the world is someone who sees life as an opportunity to become, as opposed to an obstacle to overcome.

J