Strength

Strength.  What is it and how do we know we are using our strength in the best possible way?

Maybe it has something to do with my Midwest upbringing, but sometimes I feel I must be a glutton for punishment.  Or so it seems at the moment.  People here in Minnesota and Wisconsin are humble, friendly folk, but they do pride themselves in one particular thing.   Their resiliency.  Being tough.  Strong.  Most certainly stemming from the fact that we can endure such extreme weather, namely our well-below freezing winters that we are so well known for.  We figure that if we can survive and even thrive through Mother Natures’ odds, we believe we can handle anything.  I find it to be a lovely trait to have been blessed to learn at an early age, but also, I wonder if that ‘grin and bare it’ attitude has been a bit too influential in certain areas in my life where an 'up yours' attitude is more called for.

Nonetheless, that is what I have been taught true strength is.  Toughing it out.  Being strong enough to weather any bad situation.  Staying in it and coming out knowing you are a better, and bigger person for having survived it.  And I agree with that…to an extent.  What if I don’t want or need to be a “better, bigger person” in this particular situation anymore?  What if I feel I have done my growing in this area of my life and I don’t care what anyone else thinks because I already know that I am who I am and that I am a good person whether anyone else in this particular situation can see it or not?  (Obviously I am NOT talking about Minnesota winters anymore ;)) Yes, there is always the argument that tough times build character, but any situation, both good and bad, can build your character all the same.  I believe that we don’t have to learn our lessons in life through struggle, if we so choose.  We can learn our lessons and better build our character in gentler and much easier ways.  And all lesson-learning aside, sometimes it’s just time to move on.  Yelling 'Up Yours!' as you walk away.  Ok fine, I'll say it under my breath.

 

So back to my original question, what does it mean to have strength? Is it sticking out a shitty situation or is it acknowledging the fact that a situation simply is not healthy for you to be in any longer?  A situation that is not improving you in any way.  A situation that is in fact, just the opposite.  A soul-sucking, emotionally-draining, and inner-light-diminishing bottomless pit.  Yuck, yuck, and YUCK.

The fact is, we all deserve to be in environments that nurture us and contribute to our highest good.  So, perhaps that is true strength.  Knowing your truth well enough and deeply loving yourself enough to say enough is enough.  When you care enough to leave a situation or environment that no longer serves you.  Acknowledging the situation for what it is and being strong enough to say good-bye.  For once and for all.  Buh-Bye.  Uh-huh, buh-bye.  See ya later sucka.  See ya on the flip side, or actually, hope I never see you again.

So, this is the struggle I am currently faced with (duh.).  Is my strength best used by “handling” this situation I find myself in, or does my strength need to be flexed (biceps bulging) by standing up for who I am and what I believe in by no longer allowing myself to be subjected to a negative, unhealthy environment? That I love and care enough for my gentle, beautiful soul to walk away from a situation that is harming me.  That I am not afraid of what will happen next because I know that by following my heart and my intuition, I will be rewarded with the next great adventure waiting for me.

I’m quite sure I now know the answer to my question.  And I know that by listening to my heart and my intuition, and taking the action I am prompted to do will only strengthen me more.  We all know that actions speak louder than words, and by taking action, not only will I be removing myself from a toxic environment, but I will simultaneously be telling my heart how much I value it and its role in my life.  That I am the person that matters most to me in my life.  Wouldn’t it be great if we all told ourselves that more often?  And more importantly, acted as though it were the truth.