To Be Strong

Being a strong person doesn’t mean being harsh, bold, or ‘tough.’  It means being gentle despite how many times you’ve been hurt, being kind when you want to say something rude, and being soft, when you so easily could grow bitter.

Being a strong person doesn’t mean engaging in the fight. Sometimes it takes greater strength to turn away from one.

The world encourages strength. But what IS strength? We all know what physical strength looks like - but emotional and psychological strength are often hidden. For they don’t show themselves as easily.

And they are usually the opposite of what our human nature wants to exhibit.

If you want to truly be strong, refuse to grow hard. 

If you want to be a strong person, refuse to give up on yourself, or those you love.

If you want to be strong emotionally, always look for things that grow yourself, encourage yourself, and motivate you to be a better person.

To be strong - means to withstand the unfair things in life without looking for ‘payback’. Without looking to ‘get even’. And without looking for ‘revenge.’

To be strong - means to accept that something didn’t go the way you wanted. And to decide to be happy with the new direction, anyways.

Inner strength brings great power. It brings great peace. And it brings immeasurable joy. Because you are able to stand on shifting ground.

So when you hear about being a strong man or woman, remember it’s not just being able to lift weights, run far distances, and push your body to the limits.  It’s about being able to still smile despite countless disappointments, love through the hurts, and believe despite the obstacles.

True strength is in forgiveness. Patience. Gentleness. And trying to understand.

I want to be a strong person. I want someone to look at me, and say, “How can she still be kind after all of that? Or, how can she be so positive after all of that?”

I want inner emotional strength.

How about you?