As a junior and senior in high school, I was blessed to have Sister Margaret Mary for English, speech and drama. She taught me everything I know about public speaking and helped me find a presence and style that has served me even to this day. What is amazing is that I can't really remember anything specific that she did or said, but it was just her belief in me that I could do it and be successful at it that made the difference. Since that time, whenever I have been in a public speaking venue, I have been comfortable and fairly effective.
This all came back to me when a friend recently quoted a definition of "power" to me. She said: "Power is the ability to define reality in a certain way, and have others accept that definition as their own." (I wish I knew where this definition comes from so I could give proper credit.) This power can be either a positive or a negative experience.
When that power is exercised for evil, it can lead to horrendous atrocities, for example as in the case of Adolph Hitler defining the Jews as the cause of all problems and needing to be eradicated. His definition was accepted as their own by enough of his followers to eliminate 5 million people.
Imagine the parents or teachers who say to children in either words or actions: "You are no good. You'll never amount to anything!" We know what power that definition of reality has upon those kids as they internalize it as their own. They grow up with very negative images of themselves. We've all seen examples of these troubled individuals behaving according to the definition they've been given.
On the other hand, when someone like Sister Margaret Mary defines me, sees me as successful, and helps me to see that also, she exercises a power that has a tremendously positive influence. With such a definition of myself, there is no limit to the possibilities in my life. I am comfortable in my own skin, and not afraid to step out into the unknown because the possibility of failure does not prevent me from growing.
Then take it one step further. If my definition of reality comes from the Scriptures, from God's Word to me, I realize that I am loved with a Divine Love, just as I am. "I have loved you with an everlasting love. You are mine." (Jer 31:3) When I internalize God's definition of me as Beloved, when I give God power in my life by accepting the Divine reality, then my whole perspective on life changes and I become truly free. This exercise of power brings forth life for me and for others.
By whose definition of reality are you living? To whom have you given the power to define your world, your person?
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