Why Do So Many People Feel Like They Have No Real Power?
Surplus Powerlessness
I came across this term recently and it really got me thinking, I like to spend my time writing and talking about how we need to become more empowered, looking at ways in which we can do so. But what will really bring about change in this world is when we all come together. Yet this is something that we struggle with in western society.Gone are the days of gathering food together and preparing it together.
Instead we now live in a time where we mistrust and become paranoid about others around us. Growing up believing that the only people we can really trust is ourselves.
We are living in a society that promotes competitiveness and self gain. Where it is common practice to hear people use phrases like survival of the fittest and if you can't handle how things are, then you don't deserve to be here. These are things that segregate us all, when ultimately we need to be coming together.
So many people today have been brought up believing that in order for them to succeed they need to focus on themselves and put their own needs first. Resulting in some having huge problems in trusting other people. Kids being told to buckle down and not get distracted by others. How many people automatically distrust strangers, some believe this is a normal and wise way to be. But who are we shutting out of our lives if continue to do this. To believe that if people talk to you it is only because they want something from you.
Because if we continue to distant ourselves from others we will never get the opportunity to experience the power of WE.
Sure we can all make changes in our lives, but if people come together and make those changes together then it has a greater overall effect. We really need to work with others, trust others and allow ourselves to rely on others too. We have been molded in a way that has resulted in us isolating ourselves. From a young age children are send to school and segregated from other children because of age. In some places we still have same sex schools. We are encourage to socialize with those who are the same academic level as us.
We are groomed to just accept the way the world is and we are encouraged to carve our own way in the world and just get on with it.
To stop asking questions and accept that this is our lot. To not past judgement on what others are doing, to not get involved in other people's business, to leave well enough alone. This is where we stand in the world, in our own corners, not wanting to get involved. Bearing witness to so many others being oppressed and not doing anything, because life is unfair for some? This is where so many buy into their own powerlessness over circumstances, because they have been encouraged to be this way.
Since when has turning a blind eye to violence and aggressive turned into you being polite because it is none of your business and it is rude to get involved in other peoples lives.
This way of life encourages us to become even more dis-empowered, because it keeps us segregated, it stops us from forming real communities that really look out for one another. I have heard some people share their idea of community living as being unrealistic and even childish, that it would never work. Is this really where we are now, that the idea of living in true communities is seen as child's play.
I remember being in school and learning about the Aztec's and their Human sacrifices, I was shocked. But today look at all the things that have been sacrificed in order for our culture to thrive. Indigenous people, their land, so many different species of animals and plants, our soil is constantly being sacrificed, our fresh water and our oceans, and we just sit back and don't get involved. Because we are living in a time of surplus powerlessness, is this really how we want to be remembered.
Isn't it time We made a Stand. Isn't time for us to come together.
What do you think?
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This is a beautifully written article. It really is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and I'm glad that you articulate it so well.
"I have heard some people share their idea of community living as being unrealistic and even childish, that it would never work."
I hear this all the time and I find myself getting on the defensive about it. Fortunately though I feel the world is slowly realizing that things need to change. I see where I live there is a strong sense of community and people generally try to help each other as much as they can. I also feel that the more small communities that believe in sharing love and experience exist, the stronger the collective conscious grows.
<3
thank you @holisticmom, yes there are a lot of people who are aware and consciously making a difference by moving away from these mindsets and empowering themselves, change is happening, it's always good to have more calls to action though xx
It seems that the spirit we brought to light in the 60's, of love, peace, acceptance and communality have been cast to the wayside by those who would profess to follow the Ayn Rand doctrine, of success at any cost, step on and destroy your competition, winning at all cost with lying and cheating being okay...we lose our humanity, and WE become the true animals. Many of us still hold true to our hippie-dom, and many of the younger generations are with us. We fight an uphill battle, as they despise our values as weak and ineffectual. But, we continue to resist.
Resteemed your important message; it was very eloquently written.
Thank you @mamajeani for your feedback, it's so true, it's great to be here on Steemit and connect with those that are aware and help build communities that span so far.
Wonderful, again!! I learn from my little boy to be more open towards strangers, because he finds friends everywhere, every time! That is such a bliss!!
thank you Niina, always a pleasure to connect with you with my writing xx
I love that we can share our passions here on this platform and connect through it!!;)
Amen sister, amen! This is what we need in our world.. if we were all team players this world would be a joy for All.. I pray for this to manifest soooon! Xx beautiful post
thank you so much @eco-alex, I always appreciate your feedback and yes we need to start to manifest, write it in to being xx
I think I agree with each and every word in this article with the depths of my soul. How we let some of us be brainwashed by the rest of us into competing with each other and spreading hate rather than humanity and love still baffles me :(
Unity is the only thing that will save mankind. When and how is overdue so we should be doing something right now! Thank you for sharing :)
I hear you @tezmel we really need to be doing this right now, but it is happening and being on steemit gives us the opportunity to see it all come together on a global scale xx
great points and i am fully with you. i have been reminded over the past couple days due to news i've listened to and some powerful social commentaries through art and music just how important it is to give voice to the voiceless, to the people who are systemically disempowered... it's something we all need to reflect upon, how we can use our privilege to stand up for those whose voices aren't as loud as or have as much space as ours. let's make a world/future we're proud of <3
thank you @mountainjewel, I agree completely we need to be the voice for all who are not being heard, not just the people but all living beings xx
Yes, yes, yes! We must come together and rise up to end the patriarchy. Did you see the animated movie Ants? There's an incredible scene where the main grasshopper explains to the other grasshoppers they can't let even one ant buck the system because the day they realize how drastically they outnumber the grasshoppers and come together is the day the gig is up for the grasshoppers. We way, way outnumber those that are the source of most of the suffering and strife. We have to come together, though. The infighting has to stop and we have to do a better job of listening to other marginalized people. This is really important. Thanks for sharing.
thank you Mama, yes we so need to come together, it is exciting being on here, because that is exactly what is happening, we are coming together creating this amazing global community xxx
I know. We are really doing incredible work here. This is a magical place.
Rarely do I give a 100% upvote, but this post earned it for sure. This is so much truth right here. Thank you for writing this. I must admit that I’ve learned some helplessness myself. I experience great power over my own life, but feel a powerless rage when I think about some of what goes on in the world, particularly in the lives of children with either abusive parents or ones who simply can’t or won’t protect them. Yet somehow we have to relearn how to constructively play a part in such situations. I don’t know how, but you are reminding me quite clearly how I must keep trying to find those answers. The answer cannot be giving up on taking responsibility for the community, even when those aren’t my kids.
thank you very much @indigoocean for your great feedback I am really happy that this has resonated with you and yes it is so important to spread our protection out to those within our community.
I love this post. Being a teacher I see that individual competitiveness all the time, whether asked for or not - the ranking system that grades results is awful and I hate it. But then you asked them to work together and learn from each other and they're terrified! They get there in the end when I spend ages explaining how they BENEFIT from a shared, 'hive' mind.
thank you @riverflows, I really strive to be more involved in a we attitude when it comes to life, so much effort has been put into segregating us but it is coming apart, thank you steemit for aiding in that xx
Every single day and in every action and interaction, especially with strangers and new friends, that is another chance to bring positivity and trust back into this world. I agree with the sentiment of this article whole heartedly and it is inspiring to read perspective from others on a similar path. I agree community living can clearly be achieved, as has been shown time and again, and where there is not community living, there is community building. :)
very well said @nickhans and real nice to connect with you on here.