*** The Power of Your Power Point Presence

It's funny when and where inspiration strikes. My latest epiphany came to me while soaking in a hot bubble bath. I had to run from the tub soaking wet to write it down. I've learned that inspiration can disappear as quickly as it comes if not acted upon. This nugget of an AHA moment made me ...It's funny when and where inspiration strikes. My latest epiphany came to me while soaking in a hot bubble bath. I had to run from the tub soaking wet to write it down. I've learned that inspiration can disappear as quickly as it comes if not acted upon. This nugget of an AHA moment made me giggle. It came to me that our first intention of the day, and general way of being, is our Power Point Presentation.

No! I'm not talking about those endlessly long and often boring corporate presentations that we've all suffered through. I'm referring to how you show up in life, show up in your work, your craft, your relationships, your attitudes, beliefs and innermost thoughts. Are you showing up and presenting yourself from a position of power or have you given up your power and approach life and your experiences as a victim?

Where you struggle in life is where you have given up your power. Where you struggle in life is where you say NO to you, your dreams, your truth, and your authenticity. Some give their power in a misguided effort to go along and please others. People give up their personal power when they consider themselves a victim to the economy, the government, the glass ceiling, the starving artist myth, gender, age and social status perceived limitations. You have literally given up your power when you feel powerless.

Many people give their power to their own Inner Critic when they Find Excuses And Reasons to justify limitations in opportunity, ability, and self-worth. The acronym for Finding Excuses And Reasons or False Evidence (or emotions) Appearing Real is F.E.A.R. - FEAR!

"Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true." - Honore de Balzac

There is an important distinction to make. The word Power is not synonymous with the word Force.

The dictionary defines Power as:

- possession of controlling influence; "the power of his love saved her"; "his powerfulness was concealed ...
- ability: possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done
- one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority; "may the force be with you";
- might: physical strength

Force is defined as:

- coerce: to cause to do through pressure
- physical energy or intensity;
- push: move with force
- impose urgently, importunately, or inexorably;
- wedge: squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
- violence: an act of aggression

"Power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it." - Warren Bennis

Power provides energy. Force consumes energy. Power is a product of intention. Force is a product of oppression. Power is personal, within oneself as opposed to a power over others. Power over others is almost always a product of people exerting force, not harnessing power. Indeed, people's misconception of what power is often leads to the very opposite outcome of what people seek.

Using force to take action requires a justification (thought) for that action. Often, that justification is negative and not best for all people. A big problem with the use of force is that force must always justified. You must find excuses and reasons for the use of force.

Examine how you show up in life. Do you present yourself from the point of power, the cause of your experience or as a victim, the effect of your circumstance? What is your personal Power Point Presentation?

"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." - Audre Lorde