Powerlessness is a lie

[Tmac]

In less harsh terms its an excuse, we always have a choice. We are always making choices. Even if one is in a situation where opposition in any form results in death, we either choose to endure the situation or accept death. If we choose to endure then we make up words like powerlessness.
In most situation, we accept the term because the situation in question is not felt to be that relevant.
Life is, because we choose endure it as, we found it.

 

[Quintessence]

Denying that powerlessness exists strikes me as roughly analogous to denying that limitations exist; while such denial makes for an appealing, idealistic philosophy, it is also something of a foolish one. Failure to recognize limits are a thing tends to make it more difficult to navigate around them and find alternative paths (or one does not bother to seek an alternative path at all and spits into the wind).

 

[Stanyon]

I agree, from what I have seen in life sometimes the fear of death is exactly what can get you killed.

 

[whirlingmerc]

In less harsh terms its an excuse, we always have a choice. We are always making choices. Even if one is in a situation where opposition in any form results in death, we either choose to endure the situation or accept death. If we choose to endure then we make up words like powerlessness.
In most situation, we accept the term because the situation in question is not felt to be that relevant.
Life is, because we choose endure it as, we found it.

Perhaps it depends on what you mean by powerless. You can cry out to God for help and God is powerful
I go along with the title of Jonathan Edwards first sermon: God glorified in man's dependence

Psalm 6 a sorrowful psalm

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

we always have a choice. We are always making choices. Even if one is in a situation where opposition in any form results in death, we either choose to endure the situation or accept death.

Submit or die. That sounds like powerlessness to me.

 

[WalterTrull]

Tee Hee. I know this is not where you were going, but I seem powerless to resist two-centing. God is the power. Whatever power we seem to have, is merely a reflection. We have faith, we pray, and sometimes it appears we are powerful, sometimes not. Hmmm... I seem to be making a distinction between motivation and power. I'll think on it.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

In less harsh terms its an excuse, we always have a choice. We are always making choices. Even if one is in a situation where opposition in any form results in death, we either choose to endure the situation or accept death. If we choose to endure then we make up words like powerlessness.
In most situation, we accept the term because the situation in question is not felt to be that relevant.
Life is, because we choose endure it as, we found it.

You may really like the philosopher Epictetus. Check him out.

Epictetus - Wikipedia

I disn't really get intertested in the Stoics until I learned about Admiral Stockdale's story, especially his experiences as a POW in Vietnam. He used Stoic philosophy to survive.

https://reasonandmeaning.com/2015/03/08/admiral-james-stockdale-and-epictetus/

Thought you might find it all interesting, given the content of the OP.

 

[Tmac]

Denying that powerlessness exists strikes me as roughly analogous to denying that limitations exist; while such denial makes for an appealing, idealistic philosophy, it is also something of a foolish one. Failure to recognize limits are a thing tends to make it more difficult to navigate around them and find alternative paths (or one does not bother to seek an alternative path at all and spits into the wind).

Denying that powerlessness exists strikes me as roughly analogous to denying that limitations exist; while such denial makes for an appealing, idealistic philosophy, it is also something of a foolish one. Failure to recognize limits are a thing tends to make it more difficult to navigate around them and find alternative paths (or one does not bother to seek an alternative path at all and spits into the wind).

If I had to take a guess I'd say you say I can't more than you say I can.

 

[Tmac]

Tee Hee. I know this is not where you were going, but I seem powerless to resist two-centing. God is the power. Whatever power we seem to have, is merely a reflection. We have faith, we pray, and sometimes it appears we are powerful, sometimes not. Hmmm... I seem to be making a distinction between motivation and power. I'll think on it.

I have no idea what you are wrestling with today.

 

[Tmac]

Submit or die. That sounds like powerlessness to me.

Hard choices but they are there.

 

[Tmac]

Perhaps it depends on what you mean by powerless. You can cry out to God for help and God is powerful
I go along with the title of Jonathan Edwards first sermon: God glorified in man's dependence

Psalm 6 a sorrowful psalm

No, it depends on what you mean by powerless. I don't believe in powerlessness.

 

[WalterTrull]

I have no idea what you are wrestling with today.

Oh, - just: If I'm driving a giant earth-mover, is mine the power or the earth-mover? I'm not doing the heavy lifting, but I am directing it.

 

[icehorse]

In less harsh terms its an excuse, we always have a choice. We are always making choices. Even if one is in a situation where opposition in any form results in death, we either choose to endure the situation or accept death. If we choose to endure then we make up words like powerlessness.
In most situation, we accept the term because the situation in question is not felt to be that relevant.
Life is, because we choose endure it as, we found it.

I take this to be an orientation on life, not some black and white claim. It is a very empowering and freeing perspective.

 

[Revoltingest]

Denying that powerlessness exists strikes me as roughly analogous to denying that limitations exist.....

I infer something completely different.
When faced with choices, too many people feel that because one path is compelling, there's no
choice. This is the mind killer, blinding one to options made available by re-evaluating one's goals
& values.
Sure, sure...one always faces limitations of one type or another. But to see them as making
one powerless is to become weak of mind & spirit. Within limitations, one can make
choices with imagination & determination....& occasionally exceed perceived limitations.

 

[WalterTrull]

Failure to recognize limits are a thing tends to make it more difficult to navigate around them and find alternative paths

If you can navigate around limits, are they truly limits or more road signs.

 

[Tmac]

Oh, - just: If I'm driving a giant earth-mover, is mine the power or the earth-mover? I'm not doing the heavy lifting, but I am directing it.

I'm talking about choice.

 

[Tmac]

I infer something completely different.
When faced with choices, too many people feel that because one path is compelling, there's no
choice. This is the mind killer, blinding one to options made available by re-evaluating one's goals
& values.
Sure, sure...one always faces limitations of one type or another. But to see them as making
one powerless is to become weak of mind & spirit. Within limitations, one can make
choices with imagination & determination....& occasionally exceed perceived limitations.

Thank you.

 

[WalterTrull]

I'm talking about choice.

Sorry. It seemed we were conflating power and choice. I was questioning that.

 

[Tmac]

I take this to be an orientation on life, not some black and white claim. It is a very empowering and freeing perspective.

Amen. It certainly puts the power on in the hands of the one making the choice.

 

[Tmac]

Sorry. It seemed we were conflating power and choice. I was questioning that.

Having a choice is power.