WHAT I GIVE MEANING TO, I GIVE POWER TO

If the Church or Party or Club you believe in does not believe in you, why are you a member?

If the faith or ideology or sect you subscribe to does not really have any faith in you, why stay affiliated?

When we give meaning to something, we give it power. Sometimes it gives meaning back to us and makes us powerful in return. “We the people” endows our government with power, so it can protect our power to be citizens. We believe in a God that -we believe- made us in her image, She believes in us like we believe in her. We are little less than gods. That works. Power is created by being shared.

We vote for a workers party that will go out and vote for and advocate for us, raise the minimum wage, cut the taxes. Let Workers of the world unite. Give power to the Labor movement that will make us powerful. That works.

But Sometimes it does not. We end up giving our power away by giving meaning to something that does not give meaning back- Women join a church that does not allow them equal rights. Gays join a community that thinks they are sick. Workers vote for a party that connects to their anger but will do nothing to further their cause, raise wages, create jobs, offer maternity leave.

The transaction between meaning and power is interdependent. If I give something meaning, that means it gives meaning back to me, meaning from which I can draw purpose or direction or inspiration. If I give meaning or significance to that which demeans, belittles, lies or humiliates me, then I am giving my power away. I am handing my fate into the hands of someone who will use me.

I can take my power back when I decide to make meaning for myself, and not have someone else use cliches and horror headlines that pretend to speak for me, but only incite without insight.

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