What Are We Giving Power To?

I saw Frankenstein in the theaters, even though it is heading to streaming a few days later. The large screen suited the cinematography and story telling so well. As I watched the film, I connected with each character and felt their struggles, rooting for them despite their opposition with each other. I wanted everyone to get what they wanted.

When people asked me what I thought, I told them how magnificent the production was, how gripping the scenes were, and also that I found the movie disturbing, dark, and intense. Horrifying in moments. I am glad I saw it but I wouldn’t watch it again.

Days later as I reflected on the movie, it got me thinking about what we give power to. What we are investing in. What we are building with our attention, time, and energy. How we may align with our shadow parts too often. How we may (inadvertently) entertain our fear too much. Or how we may dance with anxiety too frequently.

Are we giving something in our lives so much power that it will take on a life of its own?

Live forever as an all powerful being?

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The story reminded me of the significance of our creations. Where we devote energy, attention, and intent. Are we building with the ultimate outcome in mind? Are we creating something that will nourish us? Will our investments bring us what we truly hope for?

In October, I created an analog fall list for myself with two intentions in mind. First to immerse myself in the season with the purpose to live mindfully and embodied. To not let time slip by. Second to stay off my phone, to reduce my screen time and nurture parts of myself that will pay a return on my investment. Screen time does not really offer the kind of reward that I’d like. Instead it leaves me anxious and feeling insecure.

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Lisa Olivera wrote in a recent post that we have been conditioned away from ourselves and I relate to this idea. I think she is spot on. We live in a world that is actively training us to be disconnected from ourselves and to be attached in unhealthy ways to distraction and numbness.

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With my analog fall list in hand, it has been the focus of my time and energy. I have read paper books and scribbled in notebooks. I have taken sunrise hikes and morning walks. I have baked fall recipes and experimented with new dishes. I have watched movies, veering away from the same sitcoms I stream. I have taken lunch dates with my husband, sneaking away from work.

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I trust that if I invest myself in my analog list, give the items my care, that the outcome will be one I reap benefits from. There will be dividends to draw. I am focused on intentionally using my time in ways that I believe will nourish me.

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Frankenstein reminded me that we need to be cautious of what we create.

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Are we building the life we want? What are our motives? Could our plan backfire?

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Our energy and our time are our greatest resources. How we are using them? Have we given our power to people, places, even tech, that doesn’t bring us to our desired outcome? If we give X in our lives power, how do we imagine it will turn out?