What's your power?

Fake Power
People use it all the time. 
The power to control the situation around them, whatever it takes is fake. 
My students and I are reading a novel, Touching Spirit Bear. 
Yes, it’s a book for young adults, 
but I often think of many adults that I have known 
while reading it with the class. 
The main character is a bully.
He’s mean to humans and animals.
He used intimidation to get his way…to make other afraid of him.
He had placed himself in a situation that could lead to death.
Up until he was seriously injured, he blamed others in his life. 
Whatever happened to him was someone else’s fault. 
Know anyone like that? 
Adults do the same thing. 
It’s painful to see kids play the “blame game”, but it’s even more painful to see adults still doing it. 
Taking ownership in your life, for the choices that you've made is key. 
It’s not easy. I've tried it…you can’t lie to yourself and believe it. At least I can’t.
But really, nothing worth anything, is easy.

In the novel, Cole (the main character) has to make the choice to live.
“He wanted to live. In death there was no control, no anger, no one to blame, no choice, no nothing. To 
be alive was to have choice. The power to choose was real power, not the fake power of making others 
afraid.” (98, Mikaelsen)

He had to learn the hard way that choice and living a life of meaning was important. 
Cole had to look around himself and find the reasons to move forward.
I think that we all reach that, at some point in our lives.
What has meaning to you?
What power do you use?
Is the power real or fake?
Is it the power to heal or hurt?
Does it bring joy and wellness to others? Or not?
We all have choices every day that show our true character.

Look around you.
Take a moment and REALLY look.
Do you see that kid shooting hoops by themselves? Maybe they just need someone to play?
That little elderly neighbor, maybe she just needs a smile and a bit of conversation?
It doesn't take much to make someone smile.
Kindness has a way of doing that.
Today, make the power in your world, move mountains of hope and spread joy.

Hugs and a little love,
Lori