With the question of power — its uses and abuses — on my mind, I reached out to the Facebook fans of The Queen of My Self to see what power means to other Queens of Themselves.

Q. What does power mean to you?

A. Power to me is knowing what you stand for and not backing down, but having the humility to admit when you are wrong, or adjust your position when you have grown. All while being true to yourself.
– Sarah Jane, WA

A. Power is my Goddess-given right to live my life as a free agent.
– Saundra, UT

A. Power is being 100% yourself and not compromising based on what others want you to be, do or say. It is also not giving anyone else free rent in your head — which is essentially giving your personal power over to them!
– Christine, OH

A. To thy own self be true.
– Micklo, CA

A. A Queen’s power should be used to further her life’s path and to help along her sisters to do the same thing. We can do much to improve the lives of others if we use our power to do so.
– Katharine, Denmark

A. It means knowing how to access my life force energy, what activates it, what zaps it, and granting myself permission to do whatever it takes to stay connected to this inner fountain of youth! It is my chi!
– Daina, MI

A. To me power means being able to say the hard stuff with grace and non-attachment!
– Judith, NY

A. Responsibility.
– Ruth Ellen, England

A. Power is the life force within us and around us. And the ability to tap into it.
– Cristie, ND

A. In the mind of the Goddess (A Bitch) is a Woman of Strength, Power and Wisdom. Never take offense to this title of Queenship. And those who use this word are aware of its Goddess meaning. Blessed be the Woman who holds her own.
– Janel Oriana, NY

A. I KNEW someone would say “bitch!” It just reminds me of the well worn saying “Well behaved women rarely make history.” I had a conversation with a friend one day about Madonna who is one of my favorite examples of a powerful woman. I said I realized that she has a tendency to step on toes, act bitchy and make some doubt her sanity. I then realized I was one of those people, and I was perpetuating that view of a very powerful woman who has pissed a lot of people off with her creativity and confidence. I don’t agree with everything she does, but she does it well!
– Kimberly, IA

A. To me, true power is changing the world simply by the force of being exactly, only, and completely who you are.
– Carolyn, MA

 If you have ever been called defiant, incorrigible, forward, cunning,
insurgent, unruly, rebellious, you’re on the right track!
– Clarissa Pinkola Estés

WHAT IS POWER TO YOU? HOW ARE YOU POWERFUL?

* ***
Donna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife. She offers counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE™

The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.