Power, Wisdom, and a Goat. Really.

In "Reclaim Your Power Today," we talked about the four types of power: power over, power through, power with, and power within (Stuart, 2019). Lately, I have seen and heard about countless examples of "power over" being misused and abused. Individuals struggling under the weight of oppressive workplaces. People unable to access essential care due to bureaucratic and systemic obstacles. Communities torn apart by violence and displacement. Animals suffering at the hands of those who were meant to care for them. These are all manifestations of power used to dominate rather than uplift.

This is why it is especially important to get in touch—and stay in touch—with our power within. Each of us carries a unique strength, a force shaped by our soul’s imprint over lifetimes of rebirths. This inner power is connected to and influenced by our ancestors and those we have deeply loved and lost. Much like our physical DNA, it consists of a distinctive pattern of characteristics and tendencies, blending our roots into something entirely new. Every action we take and every decision we make further shapes and carves the character of our power, strengthening it as we nurture it.

Tao in front, Nod slightly behind. Photo by Johnny Braz.

When I think of someone who is deeply connected to their power within, I think of Tao, the leader of our sheep herd. I want to share a story about him and Mira, but I do so with some hesitation because I don’t want it to reflect poorly on her.

We had to move Mira away from the main goat herd because she is older and slower, and they were picking on her. So, we decided to introduce her to our flock of elderly sheep. As they always do, the sheep welcomed her with only a brief period of standoffishness and just a butt or two from Nod. A smooth transition, or so we thought.

For weeks, we believed Mira had found her perfect home. She had always been a gentle goat—one who sought out and protected the babies, one who loved to snuggle. What we didn’t ask ourselves was, "Will the sheep be happy with Mira?"

Mira and Me

Once she got comfortable, Mira decided, I suppose, that she wanted to take over. She waged a butting campaign against Tao. This was not a fair fight. Mira has horns—an odd set, granted—but even so, when struck against Tao’s bare head, they could do harm. And although Mira is elderly and fragile, Tao is even more so. Yet, she was using her relative power over Tao in an unfair way. This, despite the fact that he had welcomed her into his home when her own herd had treated her cruelly.

But Mira's behavior, like all behavior, makes sense in context. A bully does not see themselves as a bully—they have learned to behave that way as a means of defense, a way to survive something. Mira was not suddenly a horrible goat. She had come to us from a terrible hoarding situation, where her hooves had grown so overgrown and infected that she had been forced to walk on her elbows. For so long, she endured this pain that by the time she arrived here, she could no longer straighten them. I am sure the other animals at the place where she came from were frightened and bullied her terribly. Then, when she found some relief with our goats, she experienced mistreatment again when they became too rough with her. By the time she reached the sheep herd, she probably thought, "Bully or be bullied."

But Tao—though physically frail—embodies the full force of inner power. One day, I wandered into the pasture and found Mira challenging him. I watched as Tao took a deep breath. I could practically see his hooves rooting deep into the earth, drawing strength from the tree he stood beneath. He exhaled forcefully through his nostrils, as a bull would, and lifted his head to his full height. He gazed at Mira—not with anger, not with fear, not even with displeasure. Just steadily, directly, strongly.

For a moment, the tension thickened. The sheep looked on in hushed anticipation, like spectators at a high-stakes showdown. Crickets stopped chirping. If a tumbleweed had been nearby, it would have rolled dramatically between them.

Mira stared at him, considering. Then, she took a step back, nodded slightly as if to say, "Fair enough," and walked away with that peculiar, sideways gait of hers. Tao remained still, calmly watching her go, radiating the silent confidence of a seasoned leader who knows he doesn’t need to prove a thing.

This is the power we must draw on when faced with those who use their power over others to do harm. I have dealt with bullies all my life. Wits alone can only get you so far when you are fighting for your life. To survive, I had to learn how to find, nurture, and wield my power within.

Here are a few of the lessons I have learned—from Tao, from Mira, and from my own struggles—on how to tap into our inner power when confronted with misuse of "power over":

1. Strength Begets Strength
The stronger we allow ourselves to be, the stronger we become. When an inner voice tells you that something is wrong, you have a choice. If it also carries the knowing that you must stand up, listen. Every time we confront injustice wisely, we grow stronger. Every time we shrink from it, we weaken ourselves.

2. Choose Your Battles Wisely
Not everything you disagree with needs to become a fight. Save your strength for the moments that truly matter. You will know the difference when you are listening to your power within.

3. Power Within is Strategic, Not Just Strong
Using your inner power doesn’t always mean confronting something directly. When you are truly tapped in, you act with skill and wisdom. You address adversaries like a master chess player—aware of your surroundings, thinking five steps ahead.

4. Understand That Everyone’s Behavior Has Context
A bully is not born a bully; they have learned that behavior in response to their own suffering. Just as Mira had been shaped by her past experiences, so too are those who misuse power. Recognizing this doesn’t mean excusing harm, but it does mean approaching challenges with wisdom rather than simple reaction.

5. Let Go of Anger, But Not Awareness
There’s an old lesson, often attributed to Buddha: "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else—you are the one who gets burned." Strength is not fueled by resentment. The more equanimity we cultivate, the more in touch we are with our power.

6. Wisdom and Power Are Inseparable
True power is not about domination—it is about clarity, courage, and inner stillness. The more we nurture our wisdom, the more we can wield our power with integrity.

Tao’s lesson that day was simple but profound: Power within does not need to overpower. It simply needs to stand firm, rooted in self-knowing. And when we embody that truth, even the strongest challenges step back and nod in respect.

I hope this article has inspired you to reflect on and embrace your "power within." The journey to reclaiming your inner strength is deeply personal, and I'm so grateful to be able to share these lessons with you.

As a special gift to my paid subscribers, I’ve created a powerful toolkit to help you dive deeper into these practices. These tools are designed to help you actively apply the lessons we’ve discussed and tap into your inner power when facing challenges. If you’re a paid subscriber, I invite you to continue reading below and take advantage of The Inner Power Blueprint, The Power Within Reflection Worksheet, and The Power Within Strategy Guide.

If you’re not a paid subscriber yet, I hope the article itself still serves you on your journey. And if you’re ever feeling like you could benefit from more support but the cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I always want to hear from you.

I’d also love to personally invite you to my upcoming retreat, Journey to Wholeness: Finding Your Power Within. This retreat offers a safe, nurturing space for individuals looking to reconnect with their inner strength and wisdom. I encourage you to read more about the retreat on this page, as it might resonate with where you are on your journey.

Thank you for being part of this community. Together, we are all on a path toward greater empowerment.

Reference

Stuart, G. (2019, February 1). 4 Types of Power: What Are Power Over; Power With; Power To and Power Within? Sustaining Community. https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/02/01/4-types-of-power/