What is power?

 

What do you think power is? Is power being the strongest guy in the room? Maybe the loudest guy in the room? Does power come from achievements, status, money?

 

The word “power” has, for the lack of a better term, very powerful connotations. We hear the world “power” and immediately think of strong dictators, businessmen, and leaders. You may even hear my title, student body president, and think that I possess power. And you would be half right—I do have power, just not in the traditional sense of the word. 

 

But before we get into my definition of power, I want to introduce myself. My name is John Harris. I’m a 4-year executive board member, 3-year varsity baseball player, peer minster, member of the BSU, NHS, Brother Tom Miller Scholars program, SNHS, chess club, culinary club—you name it, I’ve done it. 

I’m not reciting this list to flex my accomplishments or to say that I am better than any one of you. I do it to highlight that, in one sense of the word, I have power. 

 

But I’m here to tell you now that my power does not come from any of the accomplishments I just named. True power doesn’t come from possessing money, accolades, or status; it comes from the ability to create and foster genuine connections with those around you.

 

I say this from experience, as I’ve spent a good portion of my life pursuing the wrong definition of power. At the expense of connecting with others, I’ve pushed myself to achieve as much as I could and be the best in everything I did. I became consumed by the worldly definition of power, and it made me push away those in my life who meant the most to me. 

 

It took the combined effort of those same people I pushed away to free me from myself and the toxic lifestyle of the pursuit of power. I now understand the meaning of true power. I understand the importance of forming connections with others and enacting positive change through those relationships. I understand that true power isn’t shown through a person’s achievements, it’s shown through their interactions with those around him. I now understand that my power comes from my powerlessness. 

 

Moving forward, here’s what I challenge you to do. Think about people in your life who have power and what that power looks like. Think about if you have power. We’ve witnessed great leaders and horrible dictators—both of which are considered leaders—yet one is significantly better than another. Choose your path. Choose your power.