waiting for Jovian-Plutonian gravitational effect...

Defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, politics is a competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government) while power is the ability or right to control people or things. Both definitions appear quite technical making it a challenge for me to dig its simplest meaning. However, before searching in the dictionary I already have an idea about what the two terms are all about that I basically picked up from my experiences and observations.

The idea of politics and power first entered to my consciousness back when I was still a school-aged. It happened inside our classroom when I was elected as the mayor of the class. It continued up to my secondary and tertiary level, from the four corners of the classroom to the outside of the school. I felt what it is like to campaign, be backstabbed, fake smiles, beg for votes, lose the position, compete with friends, plan for others and sacrifice something for the benefit of the majority. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always a success. There are times that I fail those who trusted and believed in me. But it wasn’t a stone-cold cycle of win-lose or expectation-disappointment thing. It is building relationship with others to be involved with the issues and problems. It is about always taking the first step to find a solution to the problems. Politics is opening your book of life for others to also let you read their pages. It is not about I or ME, it is about WE or US.

Meanwhile, having a power over your members or co-students is not always an advantage. It is because you get to be accountable with whatever consequence your decisions will produce. With power, cautious decisions and choices are required. Power is not a prize for winning but a companion to turn your promises (during election) into tangible actions.