Intoxicated with Power
December 22, 2014
Does a night janitor alone in a diamond factory with no verification of his trustworthiness, but his word, have ‘power’ for the janitor? Does a politician, without neutral monitoring, to be trusted to not increase their well being by using their position to be trusted. Does a fox in the hen house, after telling him to only eat the food put out for him, to be trusted?
Entitlement is the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Entitlement is easily abused by covert means or ego that sees itself as privileged. In a sense, it is ‘narcissism’ . In Greco-Roman myth, Narcissus, a beautiful young man, catches sight of his reflection in a body of water and falls deeply in love with his own image. This is, of course, where we get the word “narcissism.” Personal gratification may be healthy until it reaches the ‘need’ to confirm one’s obsession, be it looks, money, power, or whatever.
This ‘narcissism’ is almost epidemic among politicians who rarely are developed enough emotionally and psychologically to accept their position of power as a position of selfless service for the betterment of those who elected them. They invariably get caught up, and energized by their position of power to fatten their personal material desires. Politicians should represent the people as a ‘sacrifice’, and with little or no pay other than ‘reasonable’ expenses. Power over others, especially where you can make money from your position is to be ‘drunk’ on power.
People who have an asset, be it expertise in a knowledge of something, great athleticism, looks, riches, extreme intellect, ‘silver spoon from family’ where you can start out ahead of most anyone, or anything far beyond the norm, need be watchful of being humble in their heart or some form of intoxication or entitlement will darken their inner beauty. People who become entitled, often invariably don’t recognize, and don’t own it when dealing with others.
I’ve had one connection with a female friend/acquaintance for nearly 30 years. Have known one of her boyfriends from when she was 17. At that age, he was her school mate, and described her as a slim, busty, blond, athletic, carefree girl with brains to boot who lived her life on the shoulders of male attention and worship. I have been in touch with her since her mid twenties and seen her many boyfriends coupled with her erratic times, of drinking, partying, and fluctuating irresponsible life styles that defy imagination. All her life has become significantly influenced by having clung to being intoxicated with attention regardless of what she does.
The ‘hardware‘ (body) ages, and the software (mind/emotions) think it’s forever entitled as it once was long ago. Often these forms of narcissism severely cloud the virtues one has to offer. Even many innocent others are quite taken by the ‘entitled’s assets’ to the obliviousness of the entitled. The ‘narcissistic’ rarely listens or choses a path of growing beyond what early problems fueled their denial of healthy living even if given innumerable opportunities to let go, and rise to all that are the blessings within them. Balance in life of all ones virtues, hidden or exposed, need be developed with discerning awareness in love of self and compassion for others.