Why do we harness inner strength, and what brings us to this arena within ourselves where we need to summon this level of energy? Is it an injury, a family matter, a new job, a broken heart, a threat to our environment? Or is it perhaps some other trauma that has the ability to alter our future and our destiny forever?
Over my lifetime, I have summoned my inner strength for occasions like the first day at a new school, a first date, flight training in the Air Force, survival school, loss of family and friends, and then enduring pain, paralysis, and a few near-death experiences. I have conjured inner strength for reasons both physical and emotional to help keep me in my comfort zone, but also for survival.
I think we can all say we look toward our inner strength for many reasons, like the uncertainty of venturing into the unknown so we can evolve and prove our bravery to ourselves while standing in defiance of our internal and external tormentors. We are ultimately just trying to live our lives happily, but there are times when we need to stand toe-to-toe with phrases like, “I wish I could do that,” and make them actually happen. I did this when a life-saving surgery caused a stroke on my spinal cord and paralyzed me from the neck down. I was told I would probably never walk again, yet here I stand and walk due to inner strength and fortitude.
Whenever we summon our inner strength for temporary reasons or longer, and whether we realize it or not, we are committing to being as all-in and willing to sacrifice as possible to meet the current demand. Hopefully, while we are doing so, we are also tuning out external tormentors that get in the way of what we are trying to regain or accomplish.
Here are five tips to harnessing your inner strength that has helped me over the years:
1) Give yourself grace in the beginning.
Inner strength improves with repetition and breakthroughs occur with patience.
2) Only compete with yourself, and do not compare yourself to others.
Your reasons for needing inner strength are uniquely your own. Therefore, keep getting up when you do not initially succeed, and in your mind realize that “One of these days” will occur.
3) Remember: resilience is your best friend, and doubt and hesitation are your foes.
Challenge yourself to open up to new ideas as you continue to test your limits.
4) Endure and encourage others to overcome.
It is a feeling of relief when inner strength is only required for brief periods, and you can place your mind someplace happy and peaceful to center your thoughts and mindfully deal with fleeting anxiety. However, there are other times when it’s needed for longer periods like days, months, or years. This is a true test of your character because you may find at times that the beatings that test and try to intimidate you feel relentless. But what you may not realize is that you are now the definition of inner strength. You’re now not only built to help yourself, but you’re also now built to encourage and help others overcome.
5) Ponder this thought: "A beautiful life does not just happen. It’s built daily by prayer, humility, sacrifice, and hard work.”
A friend recently sent me this quote from an unknown author. These sentences also demonstrate where you find inner strength.
You can read more about how I used my inner strength to overcome insurmountable odds and create a new life for myself in my book Finding Forward: You Have the Will Within, available where books are sold.