History teaches us that the most so-called powerful men are brought down by heart attacks, which can be a violent way to go. Here are some examples from good ol Claude: Julius Caesar — Assassinated, stabbed 23 times by Roman senators (44 BC)
Genghis Khan — Likely died from injuries after falling from a horse, possibly combined with illness (1227)
Ivan the Terrible — Died of a stroke while playing chess (1584)
Joseph Stalin — Died of a stroke, possibly helped along by subordinates who delayed calling doctors (1953)
Mao Zedong — Died of motor neurone disease and heart attacks (1976)
Pol Pot — Died of heart failure while under house arrest (1998)
Francisco Franco — Died of organ failure after prolonged illness, age 82 (1975)
As you can imagine I spend a lot of my time with clients trying to understand all this and usually mostly failing, but what you say here rings true. Traditionally what we are taught about what is powerful is woefully inaccurate, incomplete, and as has been made clear, dangerous.
I remember hearing someone say once consider if the power is “the power over” or “the power to.” It’s stuck with me. In moments of fear, anguish, overwhelm, feeling less than, could we remember to seek the *power to* rather than the power over? I don’t know. I hope so.
Kaitlyn, you made a very helpful comment. I was thinking about how to define Healthy Power, because I think it is possible. Healthy Power is an outcome of a belief system founded on principles of democracy, pluralism, sanctity of human life, willingness to compromise for the greater good, and a high moral compass. These are just my initial musings. Thanks for the kick start.
Thank you for sharing. Would you, Kathy LaGasse, Miguel Sanchez, Mohammad Hassan, Antonia O’Keeffe, Robby Myrick, Lisa Korytowski and all please also see/share our information from Captain Dan Hanley, Captain Rob Balsamo, Amber Quitno, Professor Tony Martin, Scott Hagen, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, Professor Graeme MacQueen, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
History teaches us that the most so-called powerful men are brought down by heart attacks, which can be a violent way to go. Here are some examples from good ol Claude: Julius Caesar — Assassinated, stabbed 23 times by Roman senators (44 BC)
Genghis Khan — Likely died from injuries after falling from a horse, possibly combined with illness (1227)
Ivan the Terrible — Died of a stroke while playing chess (1584)
Joseph Stalin — Died of a stroke, possibly helped along by subordinates who delayed calling doctors (1953)
Mao Zedong — Died of motor neurone disease and heart attacks (1976)
Pol Pot — Died of heart failure while under house arrest (1998)
Francisco Franco — Died of organ failure after prolonged illness, age 82 (1975)
“The truth is, that all men having power ought to be distrusted.” – James Madison
As you can imagine I spend a lot of my time with clients trying to understand all this and usually mostly failing, but what you say here rings true. Traditionally what we are taught about what is powerful is woefully inaccurate, incomplete, and as has been made clear, dangerous.
I remember hearing someone say once consider if the power is “the power over” or “the power to.” It’s stuck with me. In moments of fear, anguish, overwhelm, feeling less than, could we remember to seek the *power to* rather than the power over? I don’t know. I hope so.
Appreciate you.
I hope so too, thank you for this comment.
Kaitlyn, you made a very helpful comment. I was thinking about how to define Healthy Power, because I think it is possible. Healthy Power is an outcome of a belief system founded on principles of democracy, pluralism, sanctity of human life, willingness to compromise for the greater good, and a high moral compass. These are just my initial musings. Thanks for the kick start.
That is so kind of you to say. Thank you 🙏🏼
Stanley,
Thank you for sharing. Would you, Kathy LaGasse, Miguel Sanchez, Mohammad Hassan, Antonia O’Keeffe, Robby Myrick, Lisa Korytowski and all please also see/share our information from Captain Dan Hanley, Captain Rob Balsamo, Amber Quitno, Professor Tony Martin, Scott Hagen, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, Professor Graeme MacQueen, and others and help us improve it if you can. Thank you!
https://michaelatkinson.substack.com/
🦖 👀