Lifetree News
Creating Prosperity with Harmony
Alice G. Vlietstra, Ph.D.
July, 2011

The Power of the People

In This Issue:

1.  Welcome
2.  What is Power
3.  Becoming Empowered
4.  The Power of Positive Emotion
5.  The Power of "We The People"

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1.  Welcome

This month in America, we celebrated the Declaration of Independence.  I found myself reflecting on its powerful words: 

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

These words are at foundation of our government and America’s success. The next three newsletters reflect on “We the People” and the power of this concept.

2. What is Power?

That the Declaration of Independence has power is without question.  But just what is  power?

Hawkins, in his book Power vs Force, describes power as that which supports life.  Power lifts up, appeals to that which we consider virtue. It works for the benefit of all.  Power is based on self evident truth. That honesty works better than dishonesty, that love promotes happiness more than hatred, that justice promotes well being more than tyranny is self evident.  Power energizes and gives meaning to life. Power is also associated with compassion, and makes us feel positive about  ourselves.  It unifies.

The source of power appears in the Declaration of Independence. It is in the concept that all people are equal by virtue of the Divinity of their creation. Human rights are intrinsic to human creation and therefore are inalienable.

By contrast, force is crass. Instead of being self evident, force has to be justified.
Instead of giving life and energy, force takes away.  Instead of unifying, it polarizes. Force always creates counterforce.  Someone always loses and enemies are always created. Force is associated with judgment and makes us feel badly about ourselves.   

Today, the word “power” is often confused with the word “force”, and may even be seen as a dirty word. Often, when we think of power, we think of power struggles, deception, manipulation, control, where some people gain at the expense of others. This is not true power, but a false sense of power, or force. I believe it stems from unconscious patterns from childhood. 

3. Becoming Empowered

Our country, based on the Constitution, requires the development of our higher consciousness in order to function well.  One critical way to become empowered is to first develop our power from within by questioning old patterns of belief. In order to appreciate this kind of power, it is helpful to understand human development.  Just as we grow up in our physical capacities and potentials, given appropriate nourishment and exercise, so also do we grow in the capacities and potentials of our consciousness, given proper social and emotional nourishment and exercise.

Children, by nature, are dependent on adults who have many more resources, skills, and   abilities.   As a consequence, a child’s view of the world, as compared with adults, is much more constricted.  Children, due to the immaturity of their mind, do not have the ability to put events in context, and due to their egocentrism, may falsely blame themselves for events they do not understand.  As children mature,they develop the skills needed for functioning in society.  Their view of the world expands and their perception changes from that of a top-down parent-child orientation to one of equals as adults. 

Many times, however, as we mature, old childhood patterns stay with us. Then, when we get into relationships, these old unconscious patterns pop up.  If we choose to reflect upon them and change them, they can be transformed.  If not reflected upon, they can lead to a negative outlook.  These negative views are not based on who we truly are but the false assumptions from childhood. As we have become increasingly aware of the limiting patterns of childhood, psychologists are able to find more and more methods for releasing them so as to become more empowered, and act on our higher values.

This means that today, power may be much more accessible than we have previously thought. Rather than trying to control others, complain, or put others down, the real opportunities for developing power may come from within by taking time to reflect on how we think and feel, discovering old patterns, and changing them.  In the process we develop compassion for ourselves and others and create a positive influence by creating and demonstrating
a new model. 

This gives a picture of the world that is more hopeful. No longer do we need to rely on a single leader to create change.  Instead, we can act on what we know and set a new example in our families, neighborhoods, and communities. 

The Power of Positive Emotion

As people release old patterns, they become more positive, and relationships and business thrive. Researchers have found that a simple measure, as the ratio of positive to negative comments relates significantly to business and relationship success.

A research team led by Barbara Fredrickson went into 60 businesses, and  transcribed every word that was said at business meetings, and coded them for the ratio of positive to negative statements.  Companies with a 2.9:1 ratios or better of positive to negative statements were flourishing.  Below that they were not doing well economically.  Fredrickson and Losada found similar results for individuals.

John Gottman computed the same statistic by listening to couples conversation for entire weekends.  Actually, you need a 5:1 ratio for a strong loving marriage. 
A 2.9:1 ratio in marriages means you are headed for divorce. One way to maintain a high positive ratio is to realize that old negative patterns may not reflect the truth of who we are.  Instead we can reflect on them, and use them for growth.

The Power of the People

Come join us for a teleconference on Tuesday, August 16, as we discuss the power of the people.  We will be looking at the power of a positive example, and the ways it can have influence in our lives. In particular, we will be discussing the gathering of women  and women’s contributions.  Join us on Tuesday, August 16, from 9:00 -9:30 AM, CDT.  Call 760-569-9000, Access Code 308311#.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Alice

Resources:

Fredrickson, B. L.  Positive Affect and the Complex dynamics of Human Flourishing, American Psychologist, 60 (2005) 678-86.

Gottman, J. M.  What Predicts Divorce:  The Relationship between Marital Processes and Marital Outcomes.  Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 1994.

Hawkins, D. R.  Power vs. Force, Sedona, AZ, VERITAS Publishing, 2000.