What does power mean to you?

Power.
Simply put power is one of those words that takes on a different meaning for the person using it and various contexts.
What does power mean to you?
At this point in my life power comes in numerous forms.  Various cliches come to mind: Power is something that comes from within, Power is what you hold in your heart, Power is what you make it--etc.  Power is the ability to do what you want to do while being true to yourself.  In this lifetime you only have yourself to answer to and a higher power if that's something that you believe in.  Living your life with little or no regrets is powerful and no one can ever take that away from you.
We live in a very capitalistic society and with a capitalistic mentality, power is seen as everything that each individual should aspire to.  Songs have been written about what power means.  Take the following lyrics by The Lox for example:
It's the key to life.
Money, power, and respect.
Whatchu' need in life.
Money, power, and respect.
When you eatin' right.
Money, power, and respect.
Help you sleep at night.
You'll see the light.
It's the key to life.
Money, power, and respect.
Whatchu' need in life.
Money, power, and respect.
When you eatin' right.
Money, power, and respect.
Money, power, and respect.
Money, power, and respect.


These lyrics define capitalism.  These lyrics represent the young American work ethic for some people regardless of class, ethnic background, financial background, etc.  
In these lyrics money, power and respect are all tied together, but can they be separate?  All of these words when standing alone or maybe put in a different order will have a different impact on people.  Does one really need money, power and respect to be the best that they can be?  


What does power mean to me?  From the referenced lyrics power, respect and money have a different meaning.  I believe that I have gotten wiser as I have aged and for me right now power is a cliche that I am trying to attain.  I have no problem admitting this.  No problem at all.
I want the power to use my voice, my humor and outlook on life to be an influence on all those around me as I believe that I have something to offer each individual that I meet and I feel the same way about others. 


Power as defined by me today:  the ability to love and be loved, the ability to communicate with others when angry, frustrated and happy, the earned respect of friends, family and new acquaintances and most importantly safety and stability.  I don't believe that this is too much.  


Power, what does it mean to you?

One of my favorite poems

This is one of my favorite poems by Alice Walker.  Yes, that Alice Walker of "The Color Purple" fame.  This piece speaks volumes to me on so many levels.  Enjoy and please feel free to leave comments.

Definition of Womanist

Womanist 

1.  From womanish.  (Opp. of “girlish,” i.e., frivolous,

irresponsible, not serious.)  A black feminist or feminist

of color.  From the black folk expression of mothers to

female children, “You acting womanish,”  i.e., like a woman.

Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful

behavior.  Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered “good” for one. 

2.  Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or nonsexually.  Appreciates and prefers women’s culture, women’s emotional flexibility (values tears as a natural counterbalance of laughter), and women’s strength.  Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually.  Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female.  Not a separatist, except periodically, for health.  Traditionally universalist, as in:

 “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige, and black?”  Ans.: “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.” Traditionally capable, as in:  “Mama, I’m walking to Canada and I’m taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me.”  Reply:  “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

3.  Loves music.  Loves dance.  Loves the moon.  Loves the Spirit.  Loves love and food and roundness.  Loves struggle.  Loves the Folk.  Loves herself.  Regardless. 

4.  Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.