Where does your strength come from when life knocks you down, when challenges seem relentless, when you feel like retreating into the shadows? Where do you find the strength to rise and keep moving forward despite the pain, fear, and hardships?
For many, strength comes from various places. Reflecting on past achievements—the small victories and significant milestones – can remind us of our resilience. Understanding the reasons behind our actions, even when it’s tough, can help us stay motivated. Aligning our core values and striving to live with integrity, connected to what truly matters, can fuel our determination. Hope for a better future also provides a powerful source of strength.
Family, friends, and stories of bravery and accomplishment reinforce can reinforce our perseverance. Learning from role models, finding the lessons in our mistakes, and staying true to ourselves can strengthen our belief in what we achieve.
Many people also find strength in spirituality. This can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a connect to a higher power or the universe. For others, it’s about finding inner peace and purpose. Spirituality, whether linked to religious practice or personal beliefs, can provide a sense of connection, purpose, and peace of mind.
Embracing spirituality can offer profound inner strength. It helps us understand our place in the world, find meaning beyond the material, and connect to something greater, granting us inner peace. Without this spiritual component, many find it challenging to move forward with the same faith and understanding of myself, others, and circumstances.
Spirituality is a deeply personal journey, distinct from religion, focusing on individual experience and growth. It’s a quest to understand life's mysteries and our place within them. This relationship with a higher spirit can teach us to appreciate the present moment, find stillness, and listen to our soul’s quiet whispers.
A common theme across many spiritual traditions is the recognition that the divine resides within each of us:
- Christianity: "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).
- Islam: "And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and we are closer to him than [his] jugular vein" (Quran 50:16).
- Buddhism: Enlightenment comes from within, through self-realization and mindfulness.
- Hinduism: The Atman (soul) is seen as a part of the Brahman (universal soul).
At the heart of a spiritual journey is the principle of love and compassion, guided by inner wisdom. It’s about treating ourselves and others with kindness, understanding, and respect. It’s about seeing the divine spark in everyone, feeling interconnected, supporting one another, and extending a helping hand without judgment. It’s about wanting to make the world a better place, experiencing awe and wonder, and seeking meaning beyond material possessions or our personal circumstances.
Science and research have linked spirituality with well-being and health, demonstrating tangible benefits in facing life’s challenges. Spiritual and religious activities are associated with better stress management, greater psychological well-being, less depression, and enhanced resilience. They foster a sense of well-being through peace, community connection, and a personal relationship with a higher entity, restoring hope and optimism.
Whether you are rediscovering a forgotten spiritual path, reinforcing an established one, or exploring spirituality for the first time, there are countless ways to start a personal spiritual journey:
- Spend time in nature
- Practice gratitude, say, “Thank you”
- Focus on and be helpful to others
- Mediate, engage in mindfulness
- Pray
My Mom sent to me the following prayer many years ago. It has been a source of strength ever since.
Dear God, grant me courage, strength, and hope for each new day, faith to guide me along the way, understanding, wisdom, knowledge, skills and habits too, perseverance, patience and grace to do all you ask me to do; a sense of humor, a touch of class, and plenty of gratitude and love.
Is it difficult finding your strength? Connect with me at [email protected] for help fueling your determination.
