#mentalhealthmonday
#mentalhealthawareness
There’s something strange and unique about each of us. We each have strengths and weaknesses. The funny thing is, we are often confused or misinformed at what they are because we seldom put ourselves in situations in which we are tested.
We have been programmed to avoid adversity. Adversity is the only thing that will show us the truth of where we are strong and where we are weak, but in our day-to-day life, we go out of our way to avoid the slightest discomfort, or conflict.
Quite a quadry.
How do we know what strength is and what an unhealthy coping mechanism is?
How do we know what weakness is and what is merely a lack of experience or exposure?
We are stronger than we think, but do we have to experience trauma to find out? Would it not be better to engage ourselves in smaller, incremental challenges to build our strength and confidence rather than relying on some unknown well of potential strength to be revealed to us in the moment?
Exposure to challenge and hardship can be as simple as setting a goal of stopping a bad habit or starting a good one. It can be the physical discomfort of exercise, or cold exposure, or a good martial arts lesson. It can be the goal of starting a business, writing a book, or learning a new skill or language. Any of these things that take us out of our safe spaces and place us in new and uncomfortable situations will reveal to us a glimpse of how strong we are and where we need improvement.
Isn’t that better than thinking we are strong when we are weak or believing we are weak when we are strong? Isn’t it worth the effort to learn a little bit more about who we are?
We are strange and unique creatures, to be sure. Our beginnings are as mysterious as our endings. And all that falls in between is a deeper mystery than we know.
Have a great week.
Be well.
Take care.
Much Love.
-DJR
