Women’s Definition of Power in O Magazine: What’s your definition of power?

The September issue of O Magazine is AMAZING!  It features a diverse group of women sharing their defintiions of power.  Oprah writes about spiritual power in her What I Know For Sure column:

“For me, there is no real power without spiritual power. A power that comes from the core of who you are and reflects all that you were meant to be. A power that’s connected to the source of things. When you see this kind of power shining through someone in all its truth and certainty, it’s irresistible, inspiring, elevating. I can feel it in myself sometimes, mostly when I’m sharing an insight that I know will have an impact on someone’s life and I can see that they “get it.” I get real joy from helping other people experience aha moments. That is where my power lies.” 

Buddhist Nun Pema Chodron talks about the power of the pause:  “Pausing is very helpful in this process. It creates a momentary contrast between being completely self-absorbed and being awake and present. You just stop for a few seconds, breathe deeply, and move on.” http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/omagazine/200909-omag-power-list/6

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,  explores power as an equation that is rooted in persistence, preparation, compassion, courage, and connection: “Follow your passion with persistence, magnified by intense preparation. Use compassion and courage to weave a strong web of connections. Use focused excellence to drive achievements and gain wisdom. It is through the combination of all these things that your power will reveal itself.  The magnitude and reach of your power is up to you. You must be prepared; you must commit the time, energy, and effort required to achieve. Be persistent. The passion you exhibit for your ideas and ideals and the compassion you show for others will further enhance your power. Connectivity is key; it is what creates and strengthens your web of opportunity. The more connected you are, and the stronger your connections, the more effective you will be in obtaining and using power to achieve your goals.” http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/omagazine/200909-omag-power-list/9 

Kara Walker, an artist whose work is featured in Ananda Leeke’s debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One  (www.lovestroubadours.com), reflects on the power of image: “The work began by thinking about my own body as it encountered the mythologies of the world: I was fed up with the expectations of what a black girl ought to be, but instead of rejecting them outright, I thought I would embrace every concept out there, sort of flouting the notions and taunting those who held them at the same time. I’ve met people who feel they are in complete cahoots with the work, and with my bizarre imagination; people who don’t know what I’m trying to do, who don’t see any irony in the work; and people who take it as a personal affront. There’s something beautiful about that discomfort, and about the potential for images to contain such raw emotion. These pictures—they’re the way history sees us; they’re derogatory images of blackness with deep psychic pain attached, and I use and mess around with all of it. But I’m not looking for conclusions, or meaning. I’m not interested in that. It’s about unleashing the unmentionable, the antisocial, the sociopathic—and then walking away. To let these images work their magic, their horror, their power—that’s tremendous.” http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/omagazine/200909-omag-power-list/12

Author Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of The Omega Institute, shares that she finds true power when she trusts her soul’s voice: “I feel peaceful yet strong, gentle yet courageous.” http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/omagazine/200909-omag-finding-power

 

What is your definition of power?

 What makes you feel powerful?