People Power

So many of us feel powerless. Powerless to change, make change happen, understand what needs to change, realizing who is blocking change, and then finding the powers that will allow the change to happen.

There is a part to this topic we often forget to ponder. Change should not erase something that remains important to us. Identify and protect that ‘something’.

I once was present at a public meeting of the city council; we were discussing the need for a strategic plan. One citizen spoke up and admitted he thought the town was perfect just the way it is; why would we want to change, or plan to change?

My response was: change happens to us and is all around us; it affects us whether we want it to or not; the important things about planning is to identify that which we need and want to save; then plan protection around that so we can make the best of the rest of the change.

That answer seemed to calm the discussion. The point simply is: know what you are protecting and work the rest of the changes accordingly.

Another way of dealing with this is truly imagining what you want for the community (state, nation, county…) then imagine it fully interacting with the rest of the surroundings. Clearly define what you want the community to become. Also identify what you don’t want the community to become. Know the difference. Now work for the changes that will press forward on the one hand, and protect on the other. Both should work together.

Now about power. Power rests in many places in our society. Government is one, with all its machinations, policies, laws and processes. Influence within government is one way to navigate the channels of power and improve their working in support of your goals.

Institutions is another place of power. Banks, libraries, park districts, schools, major utilities, and large, iconic corporations. These institutions often can and do provide the structure and oomph to get things done. Understanding them and the people within them is the first step in enlisting their help to support your goals.

Public persuasion is another power location. Spreading your goals to a larger public affected by your goals will be helpful in gaining support for those goals. People power at the most local level describes this source of power.

Public information channels are another source of power. Whether it is social media on the internet, or the institutional press and media, a much broader power base is available. Social media may be the first step to unleashing this power.

Discussing issues that matter is the simplest way to build understanding and power among a small base of people. Information is power. Following soon after that is opinion power. If factually based, that power is strong. It can move the world. Recall the adage – “The pen is mightier than the sword.” How true that is.

We are only truly powerless if we succumb to the belief that we are powerless. Franklin Delano Roosevelt exhorted the nation that “the only fear is fear itself.”

So, don’t think you are powerless. Because you are not powerless. Nor am I, or my friends individually or severally. We each have power.

We need to use it to harness its aim and effect.

Seems to me we have much to do. Focus on objectives. Focus on power points. Gather them together. Wage your campaign to change whatever is bothering you.

You and we are not powerless. Together with our ideas we can be the change we desire.

Just do it.

April 23, 2018