9 Common Power Traps
Like a motorcycle, you pack a tremendous amount of power into a small engine. In both cases, there is more power available than you’ll ever need. But you need to activate it to transfer that power into action.
To move your motorcycle off the start line, you transfer power from the engine to the rear wheel in a smooth, controlled manner. Even if the engine is running, until you make the choice to move forward, you’ll only sit there.
You prevent transfer of power on a motorcycle by:
- Holding on to the brakes
- Holding the clutch lever in
- Not using enough throttle
- Not shifting into (the right) gear
Your power comes from your spirit and its connection to Spirit. The energy that ignites your passion is your spirit seeking external expression. Your choices determine how, when and where that energy is transferred.
On your spiritual Road, you prevent transfer of power by getting caught in these traps.
9 Common Traps that Prevent Transfer of Power
Basing actions on the opinions of others
When the motivation for your action is to please others, you’re wasting your energy. Worrying about what others think gets you nowhere. What happens when they change their mind? Do you change yours? Let your intuition be your guide. It never steers you wrong.
Jealousy
You have unique gifts to fill your unique role here on this earth-walk. Focus on doing your best in what you’re here to do creates joy and fulfillment. You don’t know of another person’s life so it’s silly to compare any aspect of your life to theirs. Measure your success only against your self.
Gossip
Idle chatter about other people is hurtful. It’s usually based on hearsay rather than fact and embellished by opinions of others who speak through their own filters. Stick to practicing kindness and compassion. It serves everyone.
Worry
Fear of what may happen down the road redirects power away from constructive pursuits and takes you off course. Most of the time, your greatest dreads don’t materialize and you’ve wasted precious time, resources and energy. Focus on the immediate and the things you can control, and the future falls into place.
Anger
Constructive when it prompts you into positive action, anger is harmful when it provokes destructive words and behaviors, often directed at those you love the most. Use the energy of anger to understand new perspectives and problem solve rather than letting it fuel hurt and resentment.
Guilt
This can eat away at you if you let it and will usurp your power. Often taking on guilt is an ingrained thought pattern that unconsciously directs your behavior. Determine if there’s anything to feel guilty about. If so, make things right and move on. Otherwise, don’t give those thoughts any real estate.
Low self-esteem
Thinking you’re unworthy of something overshadows the courage to access your power. You can continue to wallow and feel sorry for yourself or you can pick yourself up and start again, even if it’s baby steps. Progress is movement forward, no matter how small.
Greed
Going after something you don’t need, redirects power from fulfilling what you’re here to do. Plain and simple.
Enabling others
Often motivated by compassion when you want to help someone so much, it relieves them of their accountability. In trying to prevent them from experiencing discomfort or harm, you’re actually supporting disempowering them – and giving away your own energy.
Fear is at the root of all of these traps. Fear’s function is to alert you to danger for self-preservation. But when your ego’s survival is threatened because you are growing and changing, allowing fear to dominate will only hold you back and prevent transfer of power. The best thing to do in those cases is to acknowledge it, thank it for trying to protect you, park it and move on.
Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.