Enchiridion 23 looks at what are you trying to achieve for happiness in life. Some try to get approval from other people. None of these bring happiness. True happiness comes from within.

Your sense of self is your confidence and strength in your own abilities that allows you to control your life and realize your goals. The foundation of this is your own competence and vision for your life as well as how you allow yourself to be treated by others.

Personal power is empowering, it is empowerment, but giving away your personal power leaves you feeling helpless, which is never an effective way to achieve happiness.