what is strength?
is it muscular capability?
mental stamina?
force or vigor?
is it power through influence or authority?
backbone or brawn?
stability or energy?
strength comes in many forms.
and it surrounds me with its amazing beauty.
in the form of a tenacious 16-year-old who fearlessly scales cliffs and mountains
to capture the perfect photographic shots he envisions.
in the form of a determined 21-year-old who designs his own college curriculum
in order to doggedly pursue and excel at his computer graphics craft.
in the form of an extraordinary man who always stays true to himself and his beliefs
though often at odds with those of his family of origin.
their strength lies in consistently forging new paths.
even when the road may be a lonely one.
strength comes in many forms.
and it surrounds me with its amazing beauty.
in the form of an incredible woman i am proud to call my friend
who tirelessly advocates for her parents’ needs while maintaining a full life of her own.
in the form of a courageous mother who has experienced her share of heartbreak
but persistently and fiercely keeps her children’s best interests at heart.
in the form of an enterprising business owner who is winning her battle with food
while she lovingly cares for her large blended family.
their strength lies in juggling what life has dealt them with finesse and grace.
even when there are moments of weakness.
strength comes in many forms.
and it surrounds me with its amazing beauty.
and through all of these examples, i find strength inside of me.
every single day.
i know it’s inside of you as well.
grasp that strength in both hands.
and hold on tight.
sweet survival will be yours.
i promise.
strength comes in many forms.
how does it surround you with its amazing beauty?
*******
For me lately strength = faith. I need to be strong enough to move forward on the faith that is the right move. Timely for me!
Strength does come in many forms. I have always thought that my physical & mental strength were my ‘strong suits’ but the older I get I realize my strength lies in being vulnerable.
I used to think I wasn’t very strong compared to others around me who’ve had to deal with so much more than I. Only recently have I understood that my abili to hold space with compassion and warmth is a strength that my friends value and that my kids rely on. That is, being me in all situations makes me strong.
Beautiful and very timely April! Gorgeous examples of people in your life and how they reflect strength. Thank you for this…it was much needed! <3
I love this. It definitely made me stop and think. Strength can take on so many different forms. For me, the last few years have been more about building up my mental strength by feeling confident and comfortable with my decisions instead of second guessing. Thanks for this post!
We learn so much about ourselves when we are pushed to our limits. I realize that my strength lies in remaining grounded along with my ability to think clearly during trying times. Only to unravel afterward. For me, the aftermath brings on cleansing tears that are a catharsis and help me heal.
Great article, April. Lately strength for me has meant faith. I’ve committed to letting go of expectations and it’s not that easy! I feel strong when I’m able to practice this faith and trust in the bigger picture. Thanks for getting me thinking on this!
Hoes does strength surround me? As we go through life we will inevitably fall, that’s just the nature of the beast… but strength lies in the ability to get back up and believe that you can accomplish what you set out to do despite the setbacks you may experience.
Beautiful thoughts as always ~
I love this line “their strength lies in consistently forging new paths. even when the road may be a lonely one.” Strength is knowing that my failures don’t define me and that continuing to pursue my passions and dreams is what’s truly important. Knowing for certain that I know my body and what it needs better than anyone else, and having the courage to speak up for myself.
There are so many different ways that strength can come out in a person. You speak of it so well. It is a wonderful example of why we should never compare strengths. It takes all different kinds of strength to create the wonder we see in the world today.
April, I am visiting my mom and witnessing her strength. I don’t want to say too much to respect her privacy, but it truly is amazing. 🙂