I heard a beautiful allegory last week. It goes like this (the way I heard it).

Long ago, the wind, resentful of the sun and his many loyal worshippers, challenged that fiery entity to a duel. “I am more powerful than you,” the wind claimed, “and I can prove it. Watch how easily I blow the jacket off this fellow.”

The fellow in question, surprised and chilled by the great gust of wind, pulled his jacket more tightly around him. Body hinged forward and eyes barely open, he hugged himself to ward off the cold.

“Just a bit more,” said the wind, but the harder she blew, the tighter the man clung to his jacket.

“May I give it a try?” asked the sun.

“If I can’t do it, then you certainly won’t,” replied the wind.

“That may be, but I’d like to attempt it.”

Amused, the wind slowed to a stop. Let the sun make a fool of himself if he was so determined.

Nothing happened at first, and the wind was satisfied. She was prepared to declare victory when she noticed the man looking toward the sun, shining radiantly above. His forehead glistened. He smiled and removed his jacket.

The sun beamed but did not gloat. “But how did you make him do it?” the wind demanded.

“I didn’t,” the sun replied. “I simply loved him.”

Power vs. Force

We have such negative connotations with power. It evokes images of wrathful gods and crooked kings, fables and legends where the populace is squelched by its rulers.

But what if power is something else entirely? What if we frame it as the very essence of being alive?

Then, power is the ability to empathize with others. It is the inspiration behind every great work of art. In this light, power and wisdom become one and the same. We are guided by something intrinsic to our nature, rather than lorded over by external circumstances.

Living on planet Earth becomes an exercise in evolution, where every challenge is a stepping stone to greater compassion and love.

Contrast this definition of power with the sensation of force. When we are rigid and inflexible—even mechanical—we disconnect from those around us in an unfortunate display of self-preservation. Everything is out to get us; nothing is as it seems. And in trying to control the Universe, we become universally powerless.

In the former case, we are the sun, beaming with love.

In the latter case, we are the wind, roaring with pride.

Moment to moment, we are choosing between power and force—and only one of them produces results that feel good.

One Door Closes

I started writing this post a week ago, and it was going to be quite different. My plan was to get into the particulars of this book and unpack some of the things I’m learning from it. Instead, I’m going to write about change—again.

Though I didn’t set a lot of fancy intentions for this year, I knew back in December that my career path was expanding. I wasn’t sure how (I’m still not), but I could feel something brewing—a creative flow stirring—and after losing both my home and my mom, I realized that all I could do was say yes.

Some might view that decision as a product of force. But letting go—truly letting go—is always a function of power.

Still, I forget that sometimes, to make room for new things, old things must come to a close. I experienced an ending this week, and though it doesn’t rank with other recent endings, it was still hard. And so I find myself once again at the crossroads of power and force.

Will I cling to what I know? Or will I permit myself to turn this space into something new and even more aligned?

Another Door Opens

I didn’t publish my January blog post publicly because the topic feels like the sort of thing people come to in their own time, and I didn’t want to force that.

But looking forward, I hope it’s power—compassion, love, and grace—that allows me to share what I’m learning with the world. Some of the experiences I’ve had this year have been hard to put into words, but I am writing them, and they are true.

Of course, it may take time to unravel all that wants to be revealed. That’s okay.

Doors have a knack for opening when they’re good and ready, inviting you to take off your jacket and make yourself at home.

Photo by kemal alkan on Unsplash