I love power in all its forms. It's a dangerous thing to love because the abuse of it is all too common.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Great wo/men are almost always bad wo/men.
Well behaved women seldom make history.
These quotes and our contemporary society give a conflicting message. We are supposed to own our power, yet know innately that we will most likely behave badly due to it. Don't be afraid of your power, but also don't admit to enjoying it. Be modest or be damned.
I had the fortune of being trained as an actor & artist by the late Milton Katselas. Huge Personality, High Standards, Big Ego. When he arrived to teach class a standing ovation from us students was a mandatory ritual. After his death someone gave a speech about how he wouldn't have been able to train as many stars as he had without that ego. He wasn't battling their celebrity - these actors were often times just getting their start - he had a prophetic nature about him in terms of identifying how far certain talents could possibly go, and even those people with bright futures needed their engines ignited. I realized his power fueled them - it was used in service of others.
From that moment on I had clarity on the need, practicality and joy of what power can deliver. There's a broad palette and you can paint it many ways - but power is an art form to be discovered & channeled for a greater good.
** as I was looking up an article to link to Milton's name I see that he died exactly 7 years ago on this day October 24. Rest in Power. **
Photo by J. Quazi King Brooklyn NY 2013