Finding strong.

When I was a kid, I thought being strong meant being able to lift heavy things. I thought only boys were strong. I thought my dad was the strongest because he had days at the gym he called "chest shoulders & tri's" and days he called "legs back & bis”.
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When I was in middle school, I thought people who didn't talk about their feelings were strong. I thought feelings belonged in 3 places: in a journal, in your head, or in song lyrics.
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In high school, I thought being strong meant getting good grades and as many rebounds 🏀 as possible, and making everyone ELSE happy.
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Then, college.
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In college, I found running. I found MY strong. MY body. I thought that strong meant naps some days and going for long runs on other days. I thought strong meant counting calories AND miles.
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In grad school, I thought strong meant surviving. I was strong because I survived hard breakups and long work hours and endless homework assignments.
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At my last job, I thought strong meant smiling.
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Smiling even though I was angry.
Smiling even though I was stressed.
Smiling to make other people more comfortable.
Smiling to take care of everyone.
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Today, in the midst of a global pandemic, I'm not sure of much.
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But I'm sure of this.
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Strong means NOT saying "I'm great" if I'm not. There is strength in vulnerability.
Strong means telling people you TRUST, how you REALLY feel.
Strong means doing what's best for you.
Strong means using your voice to do what is right, not what is easy.
Stong means leaning on your friends.
Strong means knowing your family will understand.
Strong means answering the phone.
Strong means NOT answering the phone.
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I think you're strong.
I think you're brave.
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Whatever that looks like to you, right now.
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Check on your strong friend.
xxoo
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