Power, what is power?

in #steemit6 years ago

The insatiable desire of humans to attain position of power is growing and the problem is not with the desire but with the intentions. Everyone at some point in life long for a taste of power, that is what drives us into becoming something more for ourselves.

But when purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.

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The desire to rule others for selfish gain and malicious reasons has driven men into taking up positions of societal leadership that in turns ends up in total abuse of power and position. First let's understand what power is.

Power

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In social science and politics, power is the ability to influence or outright control the behaviour of people. The term " authority" is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure .
Power can be seen as evil or unjust , this sort of primitive exercise of
power is historically endemic to humans, however as social beings the same concept is seen as good and as something inherited or
given for exercising humanistic objectives that. Wikipedia.org

Basically anyone who has control over a particular group of people, person or community has power over them. It doesn't have to be a social, political or official position even something has small as a parents control over their wards is a from of power.
More often than usual we are faced with the harsh realities of having to subject to someone in position of higher authority over us be it it government, at home, in school,in groups and otherwise. Some people when they think of power think "control" which has been responsible for the growing inhumane decision making that directly puts the lesser person in position of harm, to be belittle, or shamed e.t.c.

It is in the realization that having power is not a license to playing GOD to people that will help rightly channel the use of power.

This spreads across every form and sphere of life from a president using his power over the masses for selfish gains to your boss at work making decisions that directly favors him. From your pastor presenting himself as a god and deceiving members into believing wrong facts and principles to the imam at the mosque hiding behind religion to spread wrong teachings. From the father running his home like a military zone to an uncle forcefully taking advantage of a little girls innocence. From the police man on the streets molesting people because he can, to the judge in the court room taking bribe favor a guilty party. From your principal making rules that directly defiles standards and regulations to your lecturer sleeping with students in promise of a higher grade. Abuse of power can be seen everywhere and anywhere today.

Its easy to look at others and blame them for misconducts in their part, but in your little position of leadership and authority are you really different from them?
Let me quickly sing you a song.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

Hmm deep! The late Michael Jackson read my mind! I was talking to You all along... Yes! YOU

The change you so much desire starts with you. Before you pick a spec of wood from your neighbors eyes, be sure to check for the log of wood in yours. We all are directly or indirectly responsible for one another. Treat people the same way you would like to be treated.

If you can't take it don't give it

Don't get drunk with power, control your power. Use it wisely...
That brings me to my own definition of power.

Power is the ability to directly effect change and empower a particular person, people, society, nation, e.t.c bring them to the realization and fulfillment of better accomplishments.

My name is Josef, I think I just made sense.

Thanks for reading
@josefpius handwriting

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I've learnt a great lesson from this write -up.
Power can build, Power can also destroy