Summary

Marilyn Flower reflects on the paradox of powerlessness and empowerment, exploring how admitting powerlessness in recovery can lead to personal strength and the ability to offer guidance to others.

Abstract

In a contemplative article, Marilyn Flower delves into the concept of powerlessness, drawing from her experiences with twelve-step recovery and personal interests such as writing, poetry, and SoulCollage®. She acknowledges the struggle of feeling overextended without mastery in any area, yet finds confidence in her ability to surrender to a higher power and embrace powerlessness as a path to healing. Flower contrasts this with moments of empowerment, particularly when writing, praying, or helping others. She suggests that her masterclass might lie in recognizing and surrendering powerlessness, which paradoxically can lead to a powerful impact on others' lives. The article serves as an invitation for readers to explore their own experiences with powerlessness and empowerment, encouraging them to share their insights and masterclass topics.

Opinions

The author values the process of introspection and self-discovery, particularly in identifying areas of powerlessness and strength.
Flower believes in the transformative power of surrendering to a higher power, as taught in twelve-step recovery programs.
She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and shared experiences in personal growth and community healing.
The author sees writing and public speaking as avenues for personal empowerment and connection with others.
Flower suggests that acknowledging one's limitations can be a source of strength and a foundation for teaching and helping others.
She encourages readers to embrace the paradox of both feeling powerless and being at their most powerful, recognizing this duality as a source of wisdom and growth.

Middle-Pause Pump-Priming Prompt

What Do You Feel Powerless Over? When Are You at Your Most Powerful?

A heartfelt invitation to explore the paradoxical land of both/and

Woah! Where did all that come from?

I’m sitting here looking at a previously brainstormed list of potential topics for this week’s pump-priming prompt. One of my favorite Sunday afternoon rituals, along with drinking coffee. Sweet and creamy coffee.

I glance at my list and read one I’ve highlighted. It says: What’s your masterclass in–either to take or to teach?

I love this topic. I need this topic. I want and need to answer this question for myself. Especially now that I’m getting nudges to think about where I’m going with my life. What am I good at that I love to get even better at? And what am I ready to release?

I tend to pile things onto my plate without releasing anything. Not only am I overbusy, but there’s no time to delve deep enough into any one thing to get good enough at it to answer that question.

Let alone offer it as a master class.

I don’t mean being perfect or having advanced degrees. I mean what pops out for us as the thing (or things) we can offer the world with so much confidence we could “teach the class on it?”

Well, before I throw that at all of you, I want to be able to answer it for myself. That’s the pump-priming part of the Pump-Priming Prompt after all.

So I sat here and asked myself what is the thing I could offer with confidence?

At first, I drew a blank.

Then I went through a mental list of topics I’m interested in enough to write about, rounding up my usual suspects: writing, poetry, books, women who inspire–especially ones I’ve never heard of, health and healing, boundaries, family, and lately, SoulCollage®.

These are areas I’m learning right along with my readers. Not areas of intrinsic expertise for the most part. I’m still in the write-to-learn phase, not the write-to-earn phase.

But when I asked myself which ones do I feel confident about, I drew another blank.

So I just sat with the question.

A great exercise in humility. Jill of many trades, master of none thoughts flooded my head. I took a breath and blew those thoughts away.

And sat with the question. Just be’d with it…

After a bit, a loving voice whispered in my ear, you’re good at being powerless….And knowing what you’re powerless over…Then it added, and surrendering when you recognize that you are.

This is the process we do in twelve-step recovery. I’ve learned to recognize that I am powerless over people, places, and things.

People like the series of lovers I used to get back at my former husband. Places like the salsa clubs in San Francisco where I danced my ass off meeting those lovers. And things like alcohol. Not so much imbibing in it as powerless over the effects it had or has on members of my family or close friends.

Recovery taught me I am indeed powerless over these things and the behaviors they lead to like controlling and nagging. It also taught me there’s a Higher Power who loves me and wants the best for me. And that I can surrender to It, and paradoxically, gain the strength and power to release my addictive behaviors. One day at a time.

Wait a second!

How can I extoll the virtues of powerlessness here at Middle-Pause, where our vision and mission talk about encouraging, inspiring, and empowering ourselves and each other?

Isn’t that a contradiction?

I call it a paradox.

A paradox because in the context of recovery, our addictions have power over us. If they didn’t, we would have already and easily quit.

As AA founder, Bill W. found out the hard way, he had to admit his powerlessness over booze, ask for help, and open himself to the possibility there was a higher power or force he did not believe in. His prayer began, God, if you’re really out there…

Help came. That was his last bender. He learned from this and made the rest of his life a master class by teaching it, using gentle suggestions, guidelines, and his own story.

AA is a place where teaching, learning, and healing happen through the power of story. And ironically, or paradoxically, those are stories of people admitting their powerfulness as the first step to freedom from addiction.

If that’s what it takes to heal, grow and change, so be it.

On the other side, is the empowerment to live free and fully realized lives. To use our talents and resources as we so choose. And to tap our full potential as women on the move.

We women are tapping into our collective power and wisdom as healers, teachers, leaders, and much more. Owning our gifts and talents as powers we can use to help others and make a difference on the planet, makes us powerful.

So what are my gifts and talents that could be tapped as powers? Or put another way, when am I at my most powerful?

I certainly feel powerful when I write.

Especially when writing or talking about powerlessness, ironically enough. I feel powerful when praying, especially out loud and with others.

I feel powerful when something I do, say or write makes people laugh and enjoy themselves.

And I feel powerful and blessed when something I do or say helps others. It could be words of encouragement, the sharing of a story that reminds them they’re not alone in their pain, or an extra pair of hands helping get the daunting job done.

And true confession, I feel powerful when speaking through a microphone. hearing the amplified sound of my voice. Most often that’s at church, and I’m praying. But sometimes I’m reading a poem or telling a story. That feel’s powerful, too.

But public speaking is not my thing. Recognizing and admitting my powerlessness and surrendering it to that Loving Source just might be. Just might be my masterclass.

Gosh, I just made myself cry. Welcome tears. I needed to write this so I could hear this. Maybe you did, too.

Once again, I’ll repeat our Primed Pump Prompt: What are you powerless over? And/or when are you at your most powerful? Feel free to explore the paradoxical land of both/and in your life.

And you’re welcome to write about your masterclass! We look forward to hearing from you!

Marilyn Flower’s the author of Creative Blogging: Ninja Writers Guide to Character Development and Bucket Listers, Get Your Brave On. Clowning and improvisation strengthen her resolve during these crazy times. Follow her Sacred Foolishness and Stay in touch!