I learned this lesson late

I've been thinking about what it means to live in your own power—not power over anyone else or under anyone else, but your own inner power. 

And I like addiction counselor Pia Mellody's idea that power comes from self-control and living in action rather than reaction to other people and circumstances.  

It sounds so obvious!

When we are living in reaction, we are frightened and scrambled. When we practice holding a sturdy and stable presence, we can move and act with clarity. This is inner power.  

But when you've been a people-pleaser, reacting to others is kinda your default. 

It's a big learning curve. At least it has been for me. 

The good news is that it just feels so much better to live attuned to this inner power. So as soon as you start to taste what it feels like to live from this deeper place, it gets easier. 

With care,
Brianna

P.S. And an except from Linda Pastan's poem "The One-Way Mirror Back." (And thanks to Tonia Peckover's lovely newsletter for introducing me to Linda Pastan and so many other good things.)

Photo by Mason C