Strength is working through, not walking over
It means confronting pain, dealing with sadness, living with fear
Strength is expressing feelings, not repressing them
It means shedding tears, breaking down, getting it back together
Strength is opening up, not closing down
It means being vulnerable, sharing fears, seeking connections
Strength is looking in, not looking out
It means finding a place inside that nourishes the soul
Strength is being grateful for what’s present, not bitter for what’s missing
It means finding peace in those we love and the memories we cherish
Strength is believing in possibilities, not promises
It means focusing on what can happen under certain conditions, not what will happen because we wish it.
Strength is having doubts, not delusions
It means raising questions, being skeptical, doing the research
Strength is not seeing yourself as a victim when you have been victimized
It means refusing to let tragedy defeat you no matter how unfair life may be
Strength is not being loudly bitter, it’s getting quietly better
It means embracing the truth, not idealizing a fantasy
Strength does not come from simplistic platitudes or easy reassurances
It comes from doing the work, fighting the fight, and making the effort
Building strength is a complex and complicated process
It results in refreshing honesty, courageous confrontation, boundary-free love
Also published on Medium.
