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Strength & Power


"You are strong!"

"You are powerful!"

Lately I have a problem with the words "you are strong" being spoken to me by someone who cares or me speaking them to myself, than before. I have substituted strength for power. I now affirm  "I am powerful" instead of "I am strong"! According to the dictionary this is what being strong; and being powerful mean: In a nutshell, "powerful" = full of power, it can mean you are capable of exerting power, potency or influence. Whereas, "Strong" is being tough, mentally or physically. In most cases, when an individual says "you are strong" what they are trying to do is to pull strength out of you. They are trying to get you back to a position of zeal from a position of vulnerability. These words are intended to lift instead of pulling down. These words are expressed to correct.


In my experience these words amplify a different message of late than before. Every time I think about strength suddenly there is fear in the room, I am reminded of my positioning of weakness, I feel pressure because at that moment these words are spoken taking responsibility feels like enduring. I hear suck it up! These letters, these words, this message puts more weight on top of the existing one. They feel heavy, like a great demand being placed on me when I can barely produce. How can it be that brightly painted words generate dark emotions?

If i am to answer to myself i would say: perhaps it has to do with the timing when these words are used; which has only been when i have been touched by the cold hand of life. I move away from these words to move away from the emotions attached to them. 

Power for me does not correct my vulnerability, It does not take away from how I feel, It does not demand toughness. Rather, It embraces my position and seeks to gently journey with me to better places. When I affirm "I am powerful" I am with joy,  I am with peace; it is a reminder of my capabilities exercised with love, patience and kindness. Where there is kindness and patience lead ahead  by love there is reduced pressure, and no space to endure. Power looks like acknowledging I have been touched by a cold hand, thus I feel cold; and gently taking measures to move from the cold to a warm place.  The reason affirming "I am powerful" generates warm emotions and strength is because of the times and the way I have said these words to myself.


I pose a question to you: How does strength look like for you?


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