Strength, not just Physical

Flexing my
physical strength

There are times in our lives when we do not feel as strong as we actually are. There are moments that feel like we've been punched in the gut, kicked in the balls (if you have them), or having your heart ripped out (not literally - obviously)...

If you think of the most painful experience you have ever endured, is it physical? Or is it emotional? How did you make it through? There have been a few points in my life where I asked myself, when will this end? For me, the truest tests of strength were not physical at all.

It's hard to see a loved one or close friend suffer, to be faced with a situation that seems so unfair, unbelievable and just heartbreaking. A situation where everyone loses, and no one benefits. Finding the strength to continue on; not clearly knowing which direction to move, this can be a challenge that rivals any Ultra (I am guessing), walking across a mile of hot coals (not that I have tried), or sticking a needle in your eye (I imagine this is pretty painful)… So how do we as people move through these horrible situations we are faced with? Simply, love.

Well perhaps that is a tad simplistic but when you find yourself devastated, at your wits end, and you're emotionally drained, it can be something as simple as a word of encouragement, a hug from a friend, a shoulder to lean on and sometimes to cry on. Sometimes it is the little things that end up being the big things. You carry on and push through it like the last mile of a race, you just focus on what is important, tune out all the 'noise' and keep going forward to reach your goals. Not everyone may be cheering you on, there may be someone eye balling you from behind trying to steal your thunder, but you get that second wind, and you my friend are unstoppable.

Maybe you can do 100 push ups, but can you pull yourself up after you've been knocked down? For me, physical strength is only possible because of inner strength,  channeling mental toughness, and forging it into emotional strength, this is how we continue to move positively in a forward direction, without losing ground, and not allowing ourselves to shrink, to crumble, or to quit.

In the face of fury, in the eye of evil, in the depths of despair, that is when your true strength is tested. You decide to be strong, you decide to keep going; mentally, physically and emotionally, you decide. Of course it helps to have the love and support of friends and family, they are there for you to draw strength from. So if you find yourself hurt, scared, lost, pushed to the edge, don't give up, PUSH back. If you PUSH, everyone who supports you PUSHes too, because you are not alone.period.

So remember that.