Power vs. Powerlessness

In what area do you have power, and when are you powerless? 

This is a good question which we all have to think about some time in life. Because, a big step towards a happy life is to recognize our own powerlessness in the problems we cannot change. One example of this is another persons addiction, to try to exterminate an addiction which is not ours. In this we are powerless, it is only the addict who has the power to do this, it is the choice of the addict and the struggle of the addict, it is not our battle. 

However, we do have power over our own life. If we can see this, there will be an opportunity for us to show compassion for others in the same time as we know where the limits are for what we can/cannot change. If we can recognize our own power and powerlessness we will be able to put our thoughts and energy on the stuff that makes our own lives better!

Here are some other questions that you can think about! Choose one of the answers on each question and then look at your result.

1. Do you have thoughts like "he/she should not..." or do you say "you should..." to other people? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

2. Do you sometimes try to control the drinking/drug intake of the other person? For example, throwing away alcohol/pills, drink more for yourself so the other person drinks less etc. 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

3.  Do you set up plans for another persons life? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

4. Are you disappointed/angry/sad when the person doesn't do what you've planned or thought?
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

5. Do you sometimes try to get it your way through threats, bribes or punishment?
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p
 
6. Do you sometimes try to get it your way through nagging? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

7. Do you sometimes feel ashamed or guilty for someone else behavior? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

8. Do you sometimes wait for another person to make a decision before you make your own? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p

9. Do you sometimes try and read someone else mind and think that you know what that person is thinking? 
Never 0 p             Sometimes 3 p              Often (largely every day) 5 p 

RESULTS

0-9 points It seems like your controlling behavior hasn't gained the upper hand. Maybe you have already worked a lot with yourself to let go of some of the control. Congratulations! You probably got the ability to quickly see what you have power over and where you are powerless, and you choose to put focus on the things that you actually can change! 

10-35 points There's probably some situations where you feel as you need to have control and some where you succeed to let it go. But it still affects you, and you may sometimes put your energy on thing that you cannot change. This sometimes makes you feel disappointing and bitter. Try to let go of the control in the areas where you're powerless and put your energy on the things that you can change!

36-79 points WARNING! I can almost promise that you will hit the wall (if you haven't already) if you keep it up like this. Be attentive to what your body tells you! Do you feel anxiety? Panic? Problems with your heart? Headache? Problems with sleeping? You seriously need to recognize your own powerlessness in some specific, and focus on what you actually can change. I also think that you may have to talk to someone. It might be good to contact a doctor or a therapist. I wish you all the power you need to deal with this!

Take care everyone!