The world is so immense, and sometimes we feel insignificant — our issues trivial in comparison to those of the greater population. It’s so easy to feel weak and powerless, but so hard for us to realize that that in itself is a strength, the acknowledgement that our human traits weigh heavy on our shoulders. Strength, in this case, is not a number. It's not how much weight you can lift or how well you think you can hold back tears. It goes so much deeper into our psyche, our consciousness and our humanity.
Strength is perseverance, and perseverance is success. It’s realizing and accepting that nothing is going to be handed to you on a silver platter. It’s the steps you take to reach your goals, even when some of those steps are in reverse. Determination ebbs and flows, but as long as the goal is in the back of your mind, you can make up the ground you lose and triumph over the progress you make.
Strength is challenging yourself, but knowing your limits. It’s striving to be the best person you can be, but not getting there by constantly comparing yourself to other people. It’s pushing forward for yourself, first and foremost. It’s knowing when to pause and relax, because you know that your mind and soul need time to catch up. It’s appreciating yourself for the progress you’ve made, regardless of how much further you need to go.
Strength is allowing yourself to feel every human emotion, including weakness and pain. It’s being in touch with your inner self, listening and giving attention to what you’re feeling. It’s allowing yourself to endure your low points so that the highs feel that much higher. Weakness wins only if you don’t pick yourself up afterwards, wipe the dust off your shirt and get back on the path to success.
Strength is learning from your failures and making a change. It’s being humble and compassionate, considering others, and making it up to those who you have wronged. It has no place in pride or ignorance. It’s not pushing others down to get to the top, because everyone’s struggles come at different heights. We all have our own mountain to climb and as long as you’re tripping others to get to the top of theirs, you’re making no real progress towards your own summit.
Strength is accepting the struggle and trusting that it’s a necessary element. It’s not expecting a reward or trophy at the finish line, but still taking a deep breath and powering through. It’s not giving up and feeling sorry for yourself when things don’t go exactly according to plan. It’s revising and editing, rewording and proofreading.
Strength is deciding when to stand up for yourself and when to walk away from the situation. It’s staying true to yourself, but knowing when you’ve gone too far. It’s knowing when to apologize, when to demand an apology and when to leave in acceptance that you won’t get one. No one’s transgression is worth your tears, for value in yourself is a much truer force than any attack meant to tear you down.
Persevere, challenge, feel, learn, accept and decide—those are the sources for true strength, all of which can only come from within.
