Strength

An eight letter word that we have used since elementary; possibly before then. When the word rolls off of your tongue, do you even think about it? It's an automatic word, not anything that requires a lot of thought, it is a word that has been etched in stone in our memory bank. Just another random word that we toss around on a regular basis.

Ask someone what strength means to them and trust me, you will get a different response from everyone. So I have to ask you, what exactly is strength?

Per the dictionary, strength is a noun with several definitions:

1. the quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor.
2. mental power, force, or vigor.
3. moral power, firmness, or courage.
4. power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.

That was just to name a few, there were actually 12 different definitions provided. Wow, this small word has so many meanings. As I sat there and gave it a little thought... something jumped out at me. Related Forms: SELF-STRENGTH.

WOW, that amazed me, how empowering. SELF-STRENGTH! Then as I read a little further, I saw it and my utmost attention was captured:

Strength, power, force, might suggest capacity to do something. Strength is inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. Power is capacity to do work and to act. Force is the exercise of power: One has the power to do something. He exerts force when he does it. He has sufficient strength to complete it. Might is power or strength in a great or overwhelming degree: the might of an army.

Man, this is deep. THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING! TO MANIFEST ENERGY, TO ENDURE AND TO RESIST!

And it hits me. As I have set out to overcome obesity, I have found my self-strength. The power to do something. I have manifested energy to endure and resist temptations (which of course, some temptations have gotten the best of me) but I continue to move forward which will give me the sufficient strength to complete my goal! Yes, little ol me is full of self-powering strength.

In finding my strength I have also built muscle. I am capable of doing things physically that I can not believe but mentally, I am concurring obstacles and discovering just how strong I really am.

I realize that my body feels so good. My body loves to exercise, it responds to activity. I find it hard to sit in a movie now, I get so bored, sitting there. I want to get up and dance, I want to run, I want to jump, I want to play! My body wants to be active.

Don't get me wrong, there are those days that I struggle. I don't feel like getting up and moving, but I find the strength and I do it. Afterwards, my body thanks me. My body celebrates by losing inches, taking form and new shape. Although I am still very large, I see things changing and it amazes me. I push myself to new limits everyday. Today, I was able to jump rope for 225 sets. I was in complete awe of this accomplishment. To some, my victories may be minor but to a woman who was 330 pounds and smoked a pack and half of cigarettes a day merely 4 months ago, my victories are triumphant!

While my journey is no where near complete, I am proud to say that I have the PHYSICAL and MENTAL STRENGTH that is required to make it to the finish line.

I will not put myself down, I will not wish to be a "thin" person, I will not allow someone to rob me of my victories for I have STRENGTH!



Have you discovered yours?