 POWER! The word "power," in and of itself, evokes so many different overtones, implications, and associations. When we are powerful, we are said to be full of power. When we are powerless, we have less power than we actually need. When there is a power shift, strength moves from one powerful side to the other less-powerful side. And when power is wielded correctly, amazing and wonderful things can occur. In fact, when the tiniest amount of power is employed appropriately, the resulting righteously repercussive ripples reach a resounding roar… loud enough to brighten the darkest of nights. The word power is mentioned over 70 times in my book, The Ideal: Your Guide to An Ideal Life. And as we wrap up the last entry on this e-course titled “40 Days and Two Little Words,” I believe it is appropriate to quote a section from the book. Specifically: "Education is the only asset that no one can take from you. Learn all you can; but be absolutely sure to use your knowledge, or you will risk losing it. Remember: knowledge is not power until it is applied. The definition of wisdom is 'applied knowledge.' Thus, when you use your knowledge, you instantly become wise." The above-referenced section is worth pointing out here because I intend to challenge you with the great asset that you now have at your command. You now have the education and knowledge of the previously posted 39 e-notes. And, as I discussed in the e-note from Day 31 (Forgive Everyone), coherent people never really forget anything. We remember everything we have ever learned; but we are often challenged when trying to recall the knowledge. Newsflash: If you don’t use the knowledge you currently have, you will soon lose access to that that knowledge; you will soon be challenged when trying to recall that knowledge. Indeed, when I say “you will soon lose that knowledge,” I am referring to the loss of the ability to recall specific knowledge. For example… Quickly answer this question: “What’s your telephone number?” You do know your telephone number. However, because you don’t often call yourself, it’s not immediately at the forefront of your mind. Heck… try to think of almost anybody’s cellphone number nowadays, and it’s a chore! Why? …because it’s no longer a necessity that we hold and retrieve the telephone numbers in our head. We simply save them in our cell phones. Likewise, if you don’t regularly use the information in the previous e-notes (and this one), the knowledge in those e-notes will slowly recede to the back of your mind, behind all of those telephone numbers you used to know. So, what’s my point? If you have read some, many, or all of the previous Two Little Word combinations over the last 40 Days, you are now armed with some pretty good directions on how to change everyday situations in a manner that will directly benefit you. If and when you follow these directions, you are guaranteed to have a better, happier, more fulfilled life. How and why can I make such a bold statement about you, your days ahead, and your life? Well, first of all, you are a very powerful and knowledgeable person… especially when it comes to YOU. No one else knows you as well as you do. And, more importantly, no one else has any real power over you. Secondly, we already know that you are magnificent and miraculously unique. And, thirdly, to be sure, there is absolutely an ideal place for you and your dreams in this world. But first you must understand and accept the massive amounts of real power that you have… as well as the absolute absence of power that others have over you. Once you understand these two all-important facts, you can better understand the power of choice. The power to choose our actions is painfully undervalued, underestimated, and underutilized. In reality, you choose every single one of your actions. For example, no one is forcing you to read these words. You are choosing to read these words. Other people may influence you. Family members may influence your behavior. Friends might influenceyour decisions. Other decisions and outcomes may influence, limit, or expand your choices and associated decisions. However… You are the main supervisor of you. You are the ultimate director of you. You are the powerful president of you. You are the earthly god of you. And, yes… you are in control of you. And, as director, president, and god of your S.E.L.F., you have the ultimate power over you. People may influence you. But no one can make you do anything. No one controls you. You control you. But as soon as you think (or believe) that other people have power over you, that thought (or belief) becomes reality… and those other people instantly have power over you. As I leave you with this final post, I sincerely hope I have added value to you, your sense of self, and how you interact with yourself and the world. I sincerely believe in the power of the human spirit, especially when we slow down, get clear on our path forward, set goals, do things on purpose, proceed with thanks but without fear, and live a life with faith (and MORE faith, when necessary). After reading through these 40 Two Little Word combinations, I want you to… BE EMPOWERED. In reality, the best way to predict the future is to create it. And you definitely have the power to purposefully create. But remember: to bake a cake, you have to break a few eggs. Indeed… To create, you must first demolish a few things. But that’s ok. Henceforth and forever more, choose to be a creator. You are the creator of your day. You are the creator. You are… You. Aloha and mahalo for reading this. Continued blessings to you and yours. Aloha, John Forgive. Focus. Find. Accept. Adapt. Achieve. ®  John H. Clark III is an optimistic realist. Principal consultant at The PIE Group, and Executive Director of TeenBuilding USA, [a non-profit 501c(3)], John believes better development of leaders is what we (all) need. And to be better organizations, we need more good leaders, not followers. To build better leaders, we must start with the individual (you, she, he, and me). Described as “an innovative leader,” John teaches leaders, organizations, and individuals how to inspire each other. With a bold goal to inspire a worldwide community of optimistic realists who continuously accept, adapt to, and achieve the bold and beautiful concept of The Ideal Life, John is leading a movement to inspire people to apply his trademarked mantra {Accept. Adapt. Achieve! ®}. An innovative business manager and retired naval officer, John is fascinated by leaders and organizations that make the greatest impact within their organizational culture and within the “real” world — people who “get it.” Over the course of his life as a military leader, corporate mentor, and innovative content creator, John has discovered a wealth of insight about how we think, act and communicate within our respective work/life environments. As a career naval officer, mentor, educator, and optimistic realist, he has devoted his life to sharing insights to assist in our quests to become better at what we all do – live @ work! An optimist with a penchant for writing about realistic solutions to the challenges of everyday life, John is the author of 3 books: a leadership-development insider, The Ideal: Your guide to An Ideal Life, a teen-focused guide, Getting Out: Expert Advice for Today’s Teens, and the Christian-based book, God’s Heartbeat: A Powerful Premise for Leading a Christian Life. He delivers a unique and refreshing point of view to life's seemingly overwhelming situations. Through books, blogs, and everyday conversation, John's message resonates with an empowering blend of ideals that enrich, uplift, and “authorize” people to set and achieve goals far beyond current mindsets. His trademarked phrase is a winner:  |
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