The Power of Power

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want 

to test a man's character, give him power."

Abraham Lincoln

All people need to have a sense of power to develop into who they fully want to be.  How we use power designs our character.  We can choose to use our power to lift others up or we can use power to hold others down.  The choice in using power runs repeatedly in various levels of our lives.

Why as human beings would we not want all people to prosper?  Abraham Lincoln stated, "Whatever you are, be a good one."  If we are empowered by the honing of our skill and use it for positive outcome, we are not resistant to others doing the same.  Feeling resilient allows us to be vulnerable in assisting others.  We don't feel threatened, do not become competitive, nor do we become greedy. 

Individual power is a necessity, but when power is tainted by fear it can become ugly.  The narcissistic personality who thinks only of himself or the victim who believes they are entitled to more, strive for power at extreme costs to themselves and others.  The striving does not stop as they never appreciate what they have and will never have enough.  If we choose to maintain  our character, we can power for the good of all.