Understanding Strength

Strength: The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Superhuman strength, also called super strength, super-strength or enhanced strength, is an ability commonly employed in fiction. It is the ability for any human to be stronger than normally possible given their proportions. Characters with super strength have been found in many ancient mythologies and religions. Superhuman strength is a common feature across a wide range of media, such as novels, comic books, television, films, and video games.
Wikipedia

  • Strength is vigor — active force.
  • Strength is force — mental power.
  • Strength is moral power — courage or firmness.
  • Strength is potency — effectiveness, potentiality.
  • Strength is substance — essence, core.

Benefits of Strength

  • Strength provides character — backbone, fortitude.
  • Strength provides durability — sturdiness over time.
  • Strength provides energy — force of power.
  • Strength provides security — safety and protection.
  • Strength provides tenacity — diligence, determination.

Acts of Strength in Everyday Life

  • The Bible — For physical strength, it is Samson. For strength of character, David who as a young boy had the substance to stand with his sling-shot against the mighty Goliath.
  • Facing a Terminal Illness — Everyday people tragically learn every day, that their lives as they know it are about to change due to a terminal disease. Each person's personal struggle to live the remainder of their lives exemplifies an inner strength of character that can serve as real-world heroes.
  • Olympic Athletes — Fascinating true-life stories of determination and sacrifice, not only of the athletes, but of their guardians and families as well.
  • Dream Catchers — Any time a person follows their dream or their goal to fruition, they are a living example of inner determination, perseverance, and strength.
  • Positive Parenting — Let your children see you stand up for a cause that means something to you. Get them involved in the process of maintaining your position and acting on convictions.

Methods for Achieving Strength

  • Take Small Actions Toward Improvement Every Single Day — Even small steps build muscle as well as character.
  • Practice Meditation — Through inner peace we can focus on improving inner strength and physical strength can grow from inner strength.
  • Become Rigorously Honest — And develop compassion for others that will build inner character.
  • Honor Health and Well-Being — Proper sleep, nutrition, exercise.
  • Utilize Rehearsals — With visualization for added strength, or without visualization, practice...practice...practice.
  • Learn from the Greats — Study those who have exemplified the strength that you find most admirable in their lives.

Golden Mean

Weakness
Strength

Quotes for Strength

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.
- Mahatma Gandhi -
Great crisis produce great men and great deeds of courage.
- John F. Kennedy -
Above all, challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself as to what strengths you have, what you can accomplish.
- Cecile Springer -
Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.
- Richard E. Byrd -

Recommended Reading

Inner Strength: The Mental Dynamics of Athletic Performance — by Ralph A.Vernacchia

Although written about athletes and more geared toward coaching and recreating champion-like strength, Dr. Vernacchia delves into the world of imagery and techniques to combine visualization of the mind as it works in harmony with the physical ability and training of an athlete. Principles that can certainly be applied toward any individual who wishes to employ winning techniques to better their own lives.

The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life's Hurdles — by Karen Reivich

Reivich uses humor and vivid, compelling case studies, based on years of scientific research to reach her readers and explore what makes for inner strength. An absolutely wonderful read - well worth the time. You will find yourself recommending this one to others.

Building Emotional Intelligence: Techniques to Cultivate Inner Strength in Children — by Linda Lantieri

Since Ms. Lantieri has years of experience as a counselor with children, she writes through her education as well as her experience. The book is designed with chapters in developmental stage order, with functional, workable techniques for instilling these qualities in children.

General Rules

Practice virtues daily so that they become ‘habits of the heart’.

Don‘t strive for perfection.

Never give up! Remember: even the greats have off days.

Rely on your intuition.

Avoid extremes. Strive to achieve the golden mean between excess and deficiency of a virtue.

Have fun and enjoy the program with humor and optimism.



My strength has the strength of ten because my heart is pure. Alfred Lord Tennyson
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