Power Loss

I just watched a DVD of Caroline Myss from about 10 years ago, with a dual program of lectures called "Why People Don't Heal" and "Three Levels of Power." In these lectures, she was talking about how we lose or give away our power, and the impact this has on our health. I was so impressed by this discussion, because I have never thought about the ways in which I give away my own power.

For about five years I worked for a woman who was a terror. She was manipulative, harsh, and overbearing. She was also very good at her job and very smart, but at the same time she was petty and vengeful. When I watched these lectures by Caroline yesterday, I realized how much of my power I gave to my boss back then. I was scared of her. I was afraid of her wrath, and her spiteful behavior. I did everything I could to appease her and keep her happy, but I did that out of fear. I worked for her for so long because I was afraid that if I asked to be transferred to another department, she would sabotage me as vengeance for leaving her department.

I eventually quit my job, primarily to get away from this woman. I got myself to the point where I would rather leave the company entirely than ask for a transfer out of her department - that's how afraid of her I was. I've never had a boss like that before or since then. When I thought about how much power I gave to this woman, I was shocked at my capacity to compromise myself out of fear.

To whom do you give away your power? Who or what are you afraid of? Do you make decisions based on what other people will think of you? Why? It is important to contemplate these questions, because sooner or later your health will be compromised if you continue to lose power to other people and things.