The Path to Attaining Durable Power

As human behaviour evolves or changes, so too does political thinking and action. For, politics is primarily a study that focuses upon how human beings strategize their lives, from what type of breakfast do they wish to eat to what type of career they wish to pursue. Understanding and nourishing this daily strategy, is what shall improve our abilities to become more efficient political animals. Moreover, politics is heavily concerned with appearances. This does not mean how you dress up or how attractive you appear to be physically. Rather, this is focused on what you may offer in terms of knowledge, skills and passion to do what is right and even be willing to take an extra measure to do what is necessary for further good to commence. How you deliver and articulate your thoughts or ideas to the world, is how you shall truly make an impact within the political spectrum. Many may be well read or well-rounded; yet, they may not be practical or effective enough to project what they have learned or what they have experienced, in order to instigate a change or steer a society towards a certain destination. As the ancient Chinese political philosopher, Mozi, once made clear, "Plans for the country must be shared only with the learned". On that basis, real, raw and honest power may arise, to benefit a nation from deterring or dodging any malfunctions or defeats and become accustomed to further escalation of progressive and prosperous measures.

Real power is in the manner of how one conducts themselves with others and how one utilizes such power, in order to forge great opportunities and establish better circumstances. However, the further one relishes in power, the more fame becomes an inevitable by-product that one is bound to embrace. Fame and power are inseparable. Some may not even understand the difference, as both might seem to overlap one another. True power, though, is one learning to remain in control and influential, without being sucked into the distractions offered by fame or with the attention that is brought onto one's activities. To do right by another or to contribute one's time to others, without asking for anything in return or without seeking recognition for their efforts, is the most magnanimous type of powerful individuals. Yet, many that play with power, are haunted by the fear of not being appreciated or respected for it. As such, those that work to become powerful flip a switch internally to shut off their emotions and lose themselves in the process, in order to gain access to the limitless realm of power politics. To possess power, while also being righteous and honourable in your intentions, is to be strong enough to resist the seductive temptations of fame. Broadcasting one's power is a dangerous move and exposes a weakness in the individual, which is the desire to be recognized and praised.

What many that pursue the path towards power fail to understand is, their weaknesses are seldom safe guarded but rather exposed. The powerful must be those that possess a nonchalant manner in their approach towards their greatest desires and must be strong enough to let go of matters they fail to conquer. The most powerful operate behind the scenes and act accordingly to their circumstances and understand their place in society, which determines the limits of their reach. We all possess the urge to want power but only a few are capable of attaining the mechanism to absorb and utilize it for their own ends. Today, fame is the ultimate goal of those that seek power. However, true power is in having the beholder know of it and leaving the rest clueless about it. To not promote such a power, but rather make functional use of it, is a form of self-mastery that would be beneficial within the complex arena of the political spectrum. If not, one then becomes enslaved to the notion of power and led on to believe they are unstoppable or invincible, unless there is a political system strong enough to prevent such circumstances from arising. Real power is learning how to resist the temptation, detach from the addiction to more, confront the unavoidable and stay true to one's self. Such characteristics define durable power. Durable power, as opposed to explosive power, is a mandatory comparison for understanding politics. People seem to be rather feisty about accumulating power or making an "impact" in the present age. Yet, power is not meant to be something that can easily be achieved or cannot be tamed. The only thing that needs taming is our hunger for power.