ch 3 - From Pain to Power

Obviously, the real issue has nothing to do with the fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear. For some, the fear is totally irrelevant. For others, it creates a state of paralysis. The former hold their fear from a position of power ... the latter hold it from.a position of pain

This chapter discusses empowerment over oneself. The kind of empowerment that enables a person to be whole and independent and loved. It is noted, this has nothing to do with power of others.

By placing pain and power on a continuum, opposite each other, the author is positing that without power we feel psychic pain and as we move towards expressing more personal power we feel less pain. It is also a navigational chart, the goal for the reader is to always be moving towards a place of higher personal empowerment. It is suggested to the reader to create a large diagram of "Pain >>>>>>>>> Power" and to mark daily where on the chart the reader falls.

The author offers a chart of pain to power vocabulary, to help readers intellectualize things wit the right perspective:

Pain	Power
I can't	I won't
I should	I could
It's not my fault	I am totally responsible
It's a problem	It's an opportunity
I'm never satisfied	I want to learn and grow
Life's a struggle	Life's an adventure
I hope	I know
If only	Next time
What will I do?	I know I can handle it
It's terrible	It's a learning experience

It is argued that the vocabulary used sends messages to the subconscious; messages of power or messages of weakness. It's important to prime the mind with empowering messages.

As long as you are taking those risks – no matter how small – you are moving yourself to the right on the Pain-to-Power Chart.