292: The Power of One
Good Morning travelers and welcome to ZEN Commuter. Thom Walters here and I hope you are ready to kick start your day. Today is all about the power you possess. I am going to start things off with a quote from Jacob Nordby. Once we are sufficiently fired up by that I am going to help you realize your abilities with a blog post I wrote on the topic for the Light. To bring it on home you know how we do it, with a question of the day and the action of the day. Before we begin let’s take a moment to thank our sponsor Lynda.com
Travelers do you know how much the world would change for the better if everyone knew the power they possess, the abilities they have? When I say power I am not talking about control over others. That isn’t power, that is an ego, a frail human ego trying to assert its will. The power I am talking about is personal power, a full understanding of who you are and how you add to the world. Think about it. Think about all the ways people try to assume power in an effort to understand where they belong in the world, in the Universe. Wars are started over ego fueled power struggles. The desire to command people drives others to seek power, only to find out that it doesn’t make them any stronger, happier or more fulfilled.
Personal power is infinitely more useful for you and the entire world. When you have a clear understanding of who you are you don’t shrink into the woodwork, afraid to be heard. You confidently express yourself and your skills for the benefit of all. In doing so grow yourself and the world. You don’t yell, scrape or claw to be heard, to be noticed. You are driven from the most steadfast place of truth, your soul and your heart. You are serenely confident that you bring light to the world.
Let’s hear from Jacob Nordby as he describes his understanding of personal power.
“Among the greatest tragedies is a person who believes that they aren't meant to win--by winning I mean find their purpose, passion and joy in life.
They believe that other people have better DNA or happiness genes or something, but that they themselves are missing a critical chromosome.
This is a lie and it is begging to be un-believed.
For the moment we know the truth about ourselves, we can take both responsibility for our own lives and inspired action to create exactly the life which is our birthright.
In other words, you were meant to win. You were created for joy.”
Are you getting the picture? You are amazing and that doesn’t mean you need to shout it from the rooftops. It means you confidently know your worth and how you add to every situation with who you are.
Ever since I was a kid my Dad helped me learn that no one was better than me and no one was worse than me. He helped me learn that who I was mattered, that I had something to share with the world. It is a lesson that has served me a thousand times over in my life. It is a lesson that will help you as well, no matter where you are in your evolution. Let me share with you the post I mentioned earlier that will put it in persopective.
In the blog we discuss the benefit of realizing that when we embrace community we link to our higher selves. We understand that we create joy when we realize that we are not completely separate entities. We are one energy, splintered off into different physicalities. Yet even though we are one energy, these “splinters” that are each of us, are amazing in their own right.
It seems that lately ( or maybe not so much) that people are timid about stepping out into the limelight. And not even that boldly; it seems that many are content to be led around like sheep, bending to what the general consensus is. So many people are afraid to be marked as individuals. At times this desire to belong to a group can elicit some concerning behaviors. Some instances are mild and some take us several steps back from embracing our divinity.
It is important to note that embracing community and going along with the crowd are two different thoughts entirely. When we foster community, we link through our shared individuality. It means we empower the parts of each of us that are divine, that link us to our higher selves. It is through kindness and Love that we build community. We acknowledge that we are the embodiment of Love and we connect through this bond. We come together sharing our light and our Love. We add to the group but recognizing that the “splinter” we are is a unique manifestation of the whole.
Conversely, when we go along with the crowd we disavow that we are unique. We play down the fact that we have value; that our individual thoughts have merit. In most cases we align ourselves with someone who is charismatic but steeped in humanness and ego. And in doing so, an energy that does not serve us begins to grow. Clearly anyone who knows history can think of some instances where this was the case. Even on a smaller scale, more topically, we can think of situations such as looting where a crowd mentality festers.
But we are here to speak of the power of one. There are times in our history where the group has become prominent. But on more occasions, individuals have made amazing advances by acknowledging their power; divine power not chained by ego. They have acknowledged Love and used their abilities to the betterment of all of us. It is amazing to think of the strides of those such as: Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein or Susan B. Anthony, just to name a few. In every culture and every ethnicity there have been amazing examples of individuals who embraced who they were and are. These individuals knew that they were special; and not to the exclusion of others. They were wholly self actualized to know that their voice was important because it spoke of Love and compassion. Their contributions had merit because they lifted us up as a people.
How do each of us compare to these examples? Many would think that these are remarkable people with extraordinary gifts. And this is true. But the most amazing thing is that these people..are people, just like us. Each of us has amazing abilities. When we hide our gifts or disavow our higher selves we stay fully human, unremarkable and ordinary. But when we recognize that we matter we tap into the amazing energy that propels us to incredible heights. When we embrace our power we find cures, we right social injustices and we make a difference.
The examples we speak of are wondrous. Yet it is important to empower ourselves in daily situations as well, possibly even more so. That means we purchase things because they serve a function; not because everyone else is. It means if we see someone being unkind to another that we step in, with kindness, to show another way. It means that if we see something on TV that we don’t just believe it because it is paired with bright colors or “ the voice of an expert”. Most of all, we don’t kowtow to panic and fear. Use your heart, mind and intuition to discern what is real and what is fear. The media will make everything a calamity. Their goal is money, not knowledge or well being.
If they are able to convince you that they are the ones with the information, correct or not, then you will return to watch their show, which will indeed allow them to charge more to advertisers. And then, they make more money. And if there isn’t anything for your to tune in for then they will create it. They will create situations that will draw you back to follow. In most cases they are situations that play on our fears. Again, if they are the “source” that provides you with information to keep you safe, then you will tune in, even if the danger is nonexistent or make believe.
So, much like last blog, we think. But more, we realize who we are individually. Take a moment in solitude daily to find your voice, not the mumblings of the crowd. Each of us matters. Each of us, has within, the ability to do all the things we spoke of before. Each of us can make a change. Each of us can right a wrong. Each of us has a voice that is clear and inspired and uniquely ours. And whether it a word spoken in kindness to a stranger or a speech meant to inspire, we all can move mountains.
I hope you understand that you don’t need to follow to be heard. In fact you are heard better when you speak your truth, not the murmurings of everyone else, the echoes of fear and worry.
Let me help you see it even clearer with our question of the day and our action of the day. The question is when was the last time you spoke up for yourself and how did it come about? How did it make you feel afterwards
As for an action of the day I want you to spend simply five minutes arriving at an understanding of one thing you do well that you shared with someone else. Name one thing you do well and remember the last time you shared that ability with someone else.
My friends before I let you go I need to let you know I would love to hear what you think of the show. Does it help you grow, inspire you or simply yet importantly give you peace of mind. If it does then let others experience it as well. Head out to iTunes and leave a review. That helps the show grow and others experience the same benefits you are. It helps the world grow positively. If you have an idea for the show or you would rather send me a voicemail telling me about how the show helps you then go out to zencommuter.com on leave me a voicemail by using the microphone on the right hand side of the site. Jenny M already has. It looks like either she or Michael S are going to be cohosting an episode with me. If you want to be in the running to do so as well just send me a voicemail before this Sunday and be entered inot the drawing. I will choose one name at random to help me produce an episode of the show. WE will share the mic and talk about a topic of your choosing.
For now travelers you have a day to create, a commute to finish and a life to revel in, one of joy, purpose and Love. So go hit the trail and know that I will be back tomorrow with another episode to move us forward. In the meantime this is Thom Walters for Zen Commuter signing off saying make today absolutely remarkable.