Honor Your Power

Research suggests power not only decreases one’s empathy and compassion, it promotes a sense of entitlement and even unethical behavior. Power also encourages aggressive and dehumanizing behavior. Honor, however, is intrinsic and is the essential driving force behind all our successes and the true motivator of resilience. At City Psychiatry Inc, we understand the influence of power, and we know the commitment that comes with honor. We commit to lead with honorable authority and guide you to capturing the meaningful life you have been searching for. Schedule an appointment today at CityPsychiatryInc  or call us 18135990159 and let us help you cultivate the essence of the true spirit within you.

What is the Difference Between Honor and Power?

One key concept to understand when differentiating honor and power is motivation. While honor is internal and power is external; honor tends to be associated with good, meaningful objectives, and it cannot be taken away. Your honor is yours to keep and there is not a sole who can strip you of it. Power can be used for both good and bad, it comes and it goes, and it does not guarantee respect. While power is highly valuable, it is not inherently good, it can be used to cause harm and hurt, and it can be gone in an instant.

Honor builds strong relationships, and the motives are for a greater good as opposed to self-serving, fleeting objectives. Although power is without doubt influential, the impact can be antisocial in nature. While this is not always the case, power may be easily associated with unhealthy relationships characteristic of superior and inferior roles. This is observed professionally when the one in a leadership role objectifies those in inferior roles. The leaders with this power and nature may see the “inferior” worker in terms of how they are useful to them, and the ones finding themselves in the so-called inferior position may bend in ways they later regret and resent.

Moreover, power and honor can and do come together and when they do the results are great and transformative. This phenomenon is abundantly clear when contrasting the use of power when remembering the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) and Adolf Hitler. As MLK led with non-violent tactics to activate justice and end segregation, Hitler used his influence to manipulate those around him, spreading his evil, and was responsible for the genocide of the Jewish people.

Honor and Power

Honor is essential and fundamental in nature. It is stable, consistent, and earned by way of virtue. In contrast, power is dynamic; it waxes and wanes; and while it does leave an impact it is not always honorable. The person with power today may suddenly become powerless tomorrow and the same is true for those with little to no power. Tomorrow they may be the ones holding the reigns. Distinguishing honor from power is important because it is key to fulfulling one’s purpose and living a more revolutionary life.

There is inspiration in the film Life Itself: “Life brings you to your knees. It brings you lower than you think you can go, but if you stand back up and move forward, if you go just a little farther, you will always find love”. This film depicts just how quickly power can both be influential and it can lead to change. It also demonstrates resilience and honor. During the denouement it becomes obvious who the true heroine of the story is. The film is a roller coaster of sorts and at times the narrator is unreliable, confusing the viewer as to who demonstrates integrity and who really has all the power. This film also teaches about never giving up even is the darkest of times. By the closure of the film, the heroine Isabel Diaz (Laia Costa) proves her tenacity as she lovingly and steadfastly cares for her family, standing behind what she believes in, even when she will be rebuked for it.

Making it Happen

What would happen if every day we would consider those around us who are truly making it happen? Or better yet, how about we recognize our own influence? As the true hero around us may not be so easily recognizable, taking the time to step back, wait, and observe makes these sorts of discoveries feasible. Watch them when they are not looking, assess their integrity, and question what their relationships are like. Do they surround themselves by a healthy interpersonal circle? Most likely, yes, they do. They form healthy relationships, they limit their exposure to the unhealthy ones, and they are living their best lives and getting it done.

Remember the scene in the film Rocky where Adrian shouts, “Win”? Rocky gets up, he believes in himself, and finds the strength to fight to the end. He demonstrates perseverance and resilience not only in that scene but throughout the movie when he shakes off the nah-sayers, commits, and through sheer grit climbs those grueling Philadelphia Museum steps repeatedly. In the end, Rocky may not have officially won the fight against Apollo but he sure did show up. He won Adrian’s heart, he found himself, and he earned the respect of those around him including Apollo.

One new author realized her dream of capturing the essence and vulnerability of children in her book Out of the Mouth of Babes for Everyday Living. Judy Denmark’s devotional shares her own past experiences, some funny and some heartwarming, to encourage the reader towards a deeper faith. She exposes some of her own vulnerability and proposes the benefit of a childlike perspective. She understands how the honesty and innocence of a childlike perspective is both valuable and powerful and she is purposeful about sharing it. If you know Judy, you know her worth because you have seen her determination and you have witnessed her influence. She is consistent, she is a woman of faith, and she exudes integrity.

What does it mean to “honor your power?”

There are several aspects to the meaning behind honoring your power. Essentially this means valuing yourself, having integrity, and realizing your influence. When you value yourself, you set limits and protect what is important to you. You know your strength, and you do what you say you are going to do even when no one is looking. Your power is your leverage and honoring your influence is the recognition of what this truly means. True character determines what you will do with this power.

Rocky honors his power, he chooses to believe his own worth, and he is audacious in pursuing his dream without requiring status. This is the place where self-actualization can be found. Guided by moral compass and the emotional foundation that fuels him, Rocky presses on in the face of all odds and does not step on the ones around him as he climb’s Maslow’s Hierarchy. He reaches his full potential with integrity and strength. Like Rocky, Judy, is an everyday heroine who perseveres and leads with nobility.

How Can we Help?

Are you looking for meaning and purpose? Are you chasing peace and a fulfilling life? At City Psychiatry Inc we understand the value in finding purpose, pursuing dreams, and self-actualization. We know grit and we know joy. Also, we want to help share this reality with you. Contact CityPsychiatryInc today at (813)599-0159 and find out how our team can work alongside you on your quest of not just acceptance but of significance and intention.

Joaquín Selva, Bc. S. (2025, October 9). What is self-actualization? meaning, theory + examples. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/

Tobore TO. On power and its corrupting effects: the effects of power on human behavior and the limits of accountability systems. Commun Integr Biol. 2023 Aug 24;16(1):2246793. doi: 10.1080/19420889.2023.2246793. PMID: 37645621; PMCID: PMC10461512.