Recently I watched a documentary about a college football player named Maurice. He was a naturally gifted player that everyone expected to go on to have a successful career in the NFL. Through a series of events--some of his own and some just unfortunate circumstances--he lost his college eligibility to play football. He wanted to join the NFL draft, but the rules at that time stated that he had to be three years removed from high school to enter the draft and he was only one year out. He had to wait two years for his chance. During those two years, he turned to alcohol and other bad behaviors. When he did get his chance to play professional football, he was not in well enough shape to make a very big impact.
The documentary described his motivation for desiring to succeed in football in college and then the pros. He said, "The pain of having nothing drove me." It has been a week since watching the documentary, but those words have stuck in my mind. There is a powerful lesson in those words.
First, there is an actual pain that accompanies 'having nothing'. I have been fortunate in life, but I have had periods in my life where I literally went to the store with $35 to by groceries for the next week. I have had to borrow money for gas so that I could get to work. Living in lack is painful especially when surrounded by people with plenty. There are hundreds of people around us each day that are experiencing the pain of having nothing.
Second, 'having nothing' gives people a sense of powerlessness. When people feel powerless, they can become resentful and angry, thy can feel depressed and suicidal, and these feelings can effect their behavior. I theorize that many mass and spree killings are in part due to feelings of powerlessness. My motivation in life is to see people gain more power in their lives so that they can live fulfilled and successful lives. Since 2009, I have been studying power and powerlessness. In 2014, I started a nonprofit organization (Dunamis Empowerment Foundation). The purpose of Dunamis is to promote the empowerment of others.
Third, having nothing either motivates or debilitates. I would love to say that feelings of powerlessness motivates a person to do better and pursue excellence, but from my perspective it often makes a person give up or turn to unlawful or immoral behaviors.
This is a social problem. When large segments of a society feels powerless, they turn to illegal acts to "get more stuff" and to "take power" the only way they know how. Some might say that economic redistribution is the answer. However, taking from those that have and giving it to those who do not have never works. It "angers" the haves and makes the "have nots" feel entitled to their resources.
The solution for the pain of having nothing is empowerment. We must empower others so that they can have the power they need to be successful.
This is the message that I want the world to hear. We must all empower others. Society depends upon empowering others and I believe that it is God's design that we empower others.
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Lean how you can empower at Dunamis' website here.
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