“The most POWERFUL people in the world are those who chose to control themselves!.”–Phoenix
I told my kids to put that on my headstone when I die.
The Most Powerful People In The World Are Those Who Choose To Control Themselves!
I believe it to my core. Personal Empowerment begins with controlling our own thoughts taking purposeful action that brings us closer to what we truly want. The mindless power of a tyrant who kills, abuses, or demeans another is not actually powerful—it’s weak! It shows how very little respect they have for themselves and others. It’s often done by people with inferiority complexes trying to prove they are important. It’s an example of someone who lacks the TRUE POWER of self-control and the accountability of standing your ground even when it’s unpopular.
You have to think about the probable outcome of an action to determine whether it’s what you really want to do. It’s astounding to me how few people exercise the necessary self-control to weigh out the possible consequences before saying or doing something impulsive.
What we need is more self-control and less control from others. We also need far more self-imposed personal accountability!
How different would our world be if we took responsibility for everything we say and do and actually lived by the Golden Rule? Most of us have heard it- “Do unto others and you would have done unto you.” I’ve also heard of the Platinum Rule which is “Do unto others as they want done unto them.”
How different would your life be if you took the time to truly evaluate whether an action brought you closer to or further away from your dreams and goals instead of just acting out of habit, or pressure?
Sometimes our families and significant people in our lives can shame us into feeling like we have to act against our own best interests or value system to be loved and accepted. It’s especially hard to stand up for ourselves in these circumstances. Sometimes it can cost us the relationship or standing in the group– or even family. I was disowned when I took a stance against tyranny in my home of origin. It hurt more than I can describe at first, but as time went on I recognized that the peace, and self-esteem I felt from taking a stance was far greater than the turmoil and suffering I felt allowing myself to be the one that someone else was taking out their power trip on.
I wrote a Personal Mission Statement to help me remember the cost of being controlled instead of exercising my own personal power. Some of the principles in it are as follows:
Each choice I make is governed by my values as set forth in this Personal Mission Statement:
- Happiness, peace, and living true principles, are the object and design of my existence.
- I recognize that true peace comes from living with honor, dignity, and truth.
- I never violate my personal ethics for the approval of others, for temporary gain, comfort, satisfaction, or for the sake of “keeping the peace”.
- I never allow anyone to violate my body or my personal boundaries.
- I devote my life to learning; sharing; growing; overcoming all fears, limitations, and obstacles; and exercising compassion and mercy for others.
- I seek to lift the burdens of others, to share my knowledge, and teach true principles through example, recognizing that my strength comes from the Lord and is inexhaustible.
- I accept responsibility for my own problems only and teach others to do the same.
- My stewardship is first to the development of myself spiritually, emotionally, and in all other ways. I then have the wisdom and energy to fulfill my stewardship to my family.
- I move with peace through every experience in my life.
- I quickly seek the “lesson to be learned “in each situation and recognize it as an opportunity for growth.
- All of my life experiences have forged my character into strong, tempered steel.
- I commit myself to excellence in all I do.
- I move with dignity, strength, beauty, and compassion upon the earth.
- I love and honor my body, the temple of my spirit.
The full Personal Mission Statement can be found in my book, “Turning Trials Into Triumphs The Way Of The Phoenix.” Available on Amazon or here on this website from the author.
I challenge you to begin living each moment of each day with purpose and power and see how much more satisfying your life is.
–Phoenix Alexander
