Last night, the first snow fell. This morning, I woke to gray clouds and a thin sheet of white over the backyard. It's freezing outside, and I have switched my thermostat to heat.
There's a part of me that reflects these outward changes, and I want to turn inward and hibernate. I spent most of my morning sitting in bed, reading short little posts from different people. I was fortunate to find a series of positive ones.
I read about a little boy riding the subway who gave his seat to a woman with a baby and stroller. When his mother fell asleep, he slung her bags over his shoulders and carried them.
Then, he placed his hand between the metal rail and her head as a pillow. I saw a picture of him standing on the train. He looked around six years old.
He encouraged me to be a better human. So young, yet so thoughtful, unselfish, and kind.
I found an interesting quote that made me reflect on the nature of strength. Sometimes, I need some ideas that can guide and realign me with what I want to be.
Today's update is my own revised version of that quote, which helps me to be strong. I hope it will help you too.
Six Things Strong People Do
A Guide for Realigning Ourselves
If I want to go to a place I've never been before, I start with some directions. In the field of mental health, there are many worthy destinations.
Today, I choose to focus on strength and how to get from where I am to where I want to be. So, I search and dig deep for some directions. Here are six directions to help cultivate inner strength:
Six Things Strong People Do
They heal, let go, and move on, even if they must do so alone.
They embrace change and meet challenges in the face of fear and uncertainty.
They stay positive despite their limitations.
They are kind and good to themselves and others regardless of how they’ve been mistreated.
They are brave. They stand up to and defend what is good and right no matter how difficult.
They feel secure and confident in themselves and help others to do the same.
I'm not saying that if we met Orcs or Trollocs at our front door, we should be kind and invite them in for a cup of hot chocolate.
Thankfully, not many of us meet physical monsters along our journeys. But many of us have been battling COVID-19, inflation, isolation, losses, and insecurities.
We have faced death and debility in the lives of our friends, relatives, and ourselves—often alone. It is not easy.
We need to be strong in the face of these challenges and ask ourselves, "how do I want to remember myself responding to these challenges ten years from now?"
What would a strong person do in this situation? The Six Things Strong People Do can help guide you down the path strong people take. When you follow the same path, you become that which you seek to be.
Have a wonderful, inspired week!