Any time we give our power away, we limit our choices and ourselves.  Yet, we all do it at one time or other.  Becoming sensitive to the subtle and not so subtle ways we do this can help us make better choices and live more fully into our life's purpose. 

Our regular contributor, Rebecca Hamm, MA, LPC, therapist and Master Sufi Teacher, tells us more about this important concept.

When we left off last time, I shared that having divine presence means not giving power away to anyone or anything. How are we all doing with this concept? Let’s explore shall we?

For generations, we have been taught or fed the notion that we are helpless to change our lives without consulting the neighborhood psychic, family attorney, or church minister. That somehow we don’t possess the natural instincts to pull ourselves out of a jam, to heal our hearts and bodies, or to sense when something just isn’t right. This is never more present in our current culture then it is now. We continue, without awareness, to allow others to dictate what direction our personal and spiritual path is to take.

Is it any wonder why so many of us feel lost or are out of touch with our soul’s purpose? Or, is it any surprise that the “self-help” book world is closing in on being a billion dollar global business? And if you’re fortunate enough to be a part of this phenomenon, you’re probably on Oprah’s Book Club list about to collect a million dollars in royalties while touching many lives to boot.

Without question, taking the approach of giving others the keys to our bus simply is not in our individual or collective highest good. Instead, we create a generation of people who are excuse driven, fearful, and apathetic to seeking change. When we buy into the principle that we are helpless in any way, we perpetuate victimization, which by definition is a classic example of giving our power away.  

This is a concept few want to acknowledge or accept in mainstream society. Although New York Times best seller Neale Donald Walsch’s Home with God contradicts this by saying – “there are no victims, and there are no villains in the world.” So, how is it that we still have trouble accepting responsibility?

Yes, our culture, especially in politics, is bereft of accountability and integrity. The common denominator which lies within our speech, our beliefs, and in our lives is this: “It’s someone else’s fault.” It’s America’s new and crowning chant! For instance, “she made me feel frustrated,” “I can’t take that job because it’ll upset my mother-in-law,” or “if I tell him how I feel, it’s going to make him angry so I don’t say anything.”

Of course, the age old tactic of passing blame, in any fashion, is another common example of giving one’s power away. No matter how you cut it, we simply don’t want to look at ourselves in the mirror and accept some truth about our life. The paradox isn’t that we are flawed or stupid, but rather it’s that we ARE worthy and deserving of speaking our truth or changing our minds. We’re just scared to admit it for fear that someone won’t like us or more directly – will reject us.