I am proud of you

When is the last time you told someone you were proud of them?  Honestly proud of them?

I know we all occasionally get kudos from others. These certainly make our day brighter. After all, it feels good to be appreciated. We all enjoy having our egos stroked now and then.

I know we also all give compliments to loved ones and strangers.  These make people smile and bring joy.

But, how often do we really look at someone and say we are proud of their accomplishment?  

It seems that people don't use this phrase much, and yet, it holds such power.  When I received my current promotion, my parents both told me they were proud of me.  I know they really meant it. It meant to world to me to me hear them say it.  They are always very loving and very supportive. They compliment me and encourage me.  But, hearing they were proud of me made me realize how much more powerful that statement is.  There is something about making some proud that is extra special.

So, the next time you are truly proud of something someone else did, consider saying that to them.  Don't just tell them they did a good job or congratulations, tell them you are proud.  It is amazing how much it will mean to them.

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What is Power?

Over the last month or so, I have had dozens of different conversations (with a large variety of people) around power. Who has power? What is power?  Does power corrupt?  Can power be useful?  I feel like the concept of power has crept into my thoughts more in the last few weeks than in the last year.  So, I thought I would share.

First, sort an overview of the conversations I have found myself involved in.

• Politicians have too much power and use it unsuccessfully. 
• Co-workers don't have enough power.  Executives have too much power.
• My peers wish I had less power, so they can have more.
• Partners and spouses don't have equal power.
• Kids/teenagers have too much power now that they are always the center of people's daily lives.
• Squeaky wheels have too much power.

While many of these I have had first hand knowledge of and I could lend my thoughts to the conversations, some of these discussions were entirely theoretical on my part. I can share with you some of my thoughts/observations:

• Almost all of us agreed that each political party is using their power to further their own agendas. Politicians are no longer working on the best way to improve the overall well being of the citizens, but instead, just working to ensure they are  re-elected.  
• Power on the job is very tricky.  
• Decisions honestly cannot be made by huge committees or nothing would ever get done.
• Someone at the top must make decisions and the people under them must make them work.  
• Or, people at the bottom must explain why a decision needs to occur and then management must work to make it happen.  
• Once the decisions have been made, all employees should trust each other and  should be given the power to make the situations work, as best as they can. 
• All employees should be working for the betterment of the company as a whole; realizing that sometimes not everyone gets exactly what they want.  
• Companies need to also work for the betterment of the employees and understand that some profit might be lessened, to ensure the workforce stays engaged and strong.
• Power should be used for making things better, not covering back sides or guarding  kingdoms.
• In relationships, I do believe that one person does seem to have more power than the other one.  In all honesty, people allow others to have extra power in relationships.  I consider it compromise.  The partners have come to an understanding of what they are willing to put up with, to make it all work.  Looking at relationships from the outside, it might seem that they are very lopsided.  That is their arrangement; it should not be for us to judge.
• Since I have no kids of my own, I can't speak to this one. 
• Squeaky wheels are definitely a power issue.  I do believe that groups should stop allowing the loudest voice to have the most power.  Sadly, I don't think this will never change.

I am powerful enough to take the lead when needed.  I am confident enough to allow others to take the lead and support them in their endeavors. I can admit my mistakes and my failures, knowing they don't define me. I am strong enough to know that I am doing a good job, even if not one compliments me.  I am smart enough to understand that not all things revolve around me and that I don't need to be involved in every outing, conversation or decision. I also understand that being powerful doesn't mean I have to be a bully. I never need to belittle someone to strip them of their power.  

Personally, it is distressing that sometimes my power has caused people to want me fired or wished I would fail. That friends stopped calling me and family found me frustrating. 

But, in the end, I am powerful enough to realize that usually it is not actually aimed at me. It is often that the other person feels a lack of power, which is making them afraid and unhappy.  

I enjoy my inner power. I hope you also enjoy yours.

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