Power vs. Loss

The temptation of power is never apparent until one is in the throes of it. From the outside, for most people, people in positions of power seem to live the good life, they are capable of making decisions that impact multitudes of people and or often times rewarded handsomely for their position. It could be power in the business or government realm, it doesn’t matter, although I think that the power that comes with government and politics is potentially more dangerous than that which comes with business. What matters is how that power over others is utilized and how the person in power maintains their sense of self and upholds whatever ethical and moral foundations they began with. Too many times, ethics and morals end up going by the wayside in pursuit of more power, of that next level, of maintaining what they already have. There are some who are capable of remaining true to themselves, but they are in the minority I feel. Most people who enter the upper echelons end up trading some part of who they are for more power. I for one have never held a position of power and don’t want to. Having seen too many people compromised by more power, I never want to attain that level as I don’t know that I could maintain my ethics and morals. Perhaps I could as I grow older, but I know it wouldn’t be easy.

Part of the reason positions of power are so addicting and degrading is with more power and prestige comes more potential for loss, for losing what you have and the potential to return to a position of having nothing or even just less. The more power one has, the more there is to lose with a loss of power and many individuals get too caught up in those positions and the cushy lifestyle it can afford that they will do anything to maintain that position, even it it means sacrificing ethics and morals in the process. Again, there are select few individuals who are capable of remaining beacons of ethical and moral living while also being in positions of power, but they are few and far between. Look at all the leaders of nations who cling to their power without wanting to sacrifice the life they have built for themselves. Think of how many average people are hurt in the process of those in power seeking to get more power or even just maintain what they have. Its not just leaders of nations, but those in the business world are tempted by the same things, the allure of the top position and all the creature comforts that come with it. Often times, the cushier it gets, the more pressure there is to get more, own more, have more and then keep it.

Imagine how much more peaceful the world would be if people didn’t constantly clamor for more power, more possessions and then seek to keep everything to themselves. Think of how many people who are suffering would not be in those positions if world leaders sought to lift up the least of their citizens instead of pad the pockets of their friends and family. Or how about those top leaders of profitable businesses, think of how many people could be living better lives if they participated in more profit sharing endeavors. But alas, that is a mythical world that we only get to glimpse on a rare occasion when someone actually fulfills their role ethically and morally. What more people need to realize is that everything we have can be gone tomorrow, not because of anything we did, but due to external circumstances. We can’t take anything with us beyond death, so why do we constantly need more and more and more? We need to look inside, see what that bare minimum we need to be happy and content and live for that, anything extra is a blessing. Let us not seek to accumulate more power and then fear the loss of everything, but be content with what we have, who we commune with, and seek to lift up those around us.