Transcendental Forests: POETREE
Transcendental Forests: A Piece O’Fart
Musings on Self-Empowerment
Self-empowerment is a word that is being used a lot these days. Perhaps it is no coincidence that when systems and structures crumble, people need to look for ways to regain their power and take back control of their lives.
And fair enough. Who doesn’t want to live life on their own terms?
In fact, at any point in our lives, we can experience situations in our external reality when we feel that we have given up our power and we need to reclaim it. Self-empowerment is then perceived in our minds as a way of regaining some sense of “identity” that we feel we have “lost”. Perhaps what happens is nothing other than certain parts of our complex human nature asking for new ways of self-expression.
We temporarily detach ourselves from old modes of being. We form new habits, we express ourselves in ways we haven’t before, we create, we write, we project ourselves as something else. This time, “self-empowered”.
Ironically, we begin to identify ourselves with these newly discovered forms of expression, believing, foolishly, that these are us. This is the New Me. This is the Me I have always been. Not realizing that, in a sense, what we are doing is nothing other than objectifying ourselves. Or perhaps, re-objectifying ourselves. Becoming a fresh new construct of our own minds.
Such is the folly of the mind. Eternally attached to form. Eternally clinging to the deception of a solid identity. An identity that we have created and hence, we have power over. Our poor sweet little minds! How they need a sense of control. Of existence.
In truth, aren’t we, in all forms of expression, and as form itself, transient in nature? Is “self-empowerment” simply a way of trying hard to refute our non-existence, our nothingness?
As I am reflecting on the ephemeral nature of self-empowerment, for some reason, the image of an alcoholic drink pops into my mind. :) :) :)
A drink called…
Self-Empowerment
Warning:
It can give a delicious feeling of momentary intoxication.
It only provides a quick fix.
When served on its own, it evaporates quickly.
Best served with a large dose of self-depreciation.
It makes for a smoother, gentler, more balanced cocktail.
Self-empowerment + Self-depreciation = Humility
Humility = Selfless Empowerment
I wrote the poem below some time ago, when I was feeling the need for a shot of self-confidence. I put it aside, as I do these days, and sure enough, the feeling of “self-empowerment” fizzled out. LOL!
