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True Strength.

The muscles we fail to train.

They say our experiences build character.

I disagree.

Our experiences build strength. We’re born with our character, it’s part of our DNA. We’re hardwired in unique ways that define our characters and personalities. These neuro pathways are established at a young age and never change.

Over time, we add layers. We put on different masks trying to conform to who society tells us we should be, or who we believe we should be. Our experiences shaken us, and awaken us, allowing us to begin stripping back the layers and removing the masks.

Finding our way back to our original selves, our true selves. That’s strength, the ability to stand firmly and confidently in the presence of who you are.

That's strength, the ability to stand firmly and confidently in the presence of who you are. Click To Tweet

We believe building strength is a toughening of ourselves, developing a thick skin, hardening our hearts, removing vulnerability.

But it’s not. That’s not strength. Those are the tactics we adopt when we try and avoid pain.

The toughness and bitterness comes from our desire to live a life of avoidance. Click To Tweet

The toughness and bitterness comes from our desire to live a life of avoidance. Running away from the difficult moments. While we shouldn’t be actively hunting these experience, avoiding them takes away from our healing, from our growth, from our evolution.

True strength is the ability to show vulnerability. It's soft, and it’s expansive. Click To Tweet

It’s derived from our willingness to experience pain, to experience discomfort. From seeing the fire in front of us, and knowing, that one’s ours. It was meant for us. And being willing to walk through it.

These moments allow us to live more presently, and to love more fiercely.

It’s embracing our wholeness. The stories we tell and those we disown. The parts of ourselves we accept and those we reject. The areas where we are polished and refined, just as much as those that jagged and edgy.

When we disown part of ourselves to avoid vulnerability or judgment from other, as well as ourselves we slip out of our fullness. We slip out of our fullness and into our halfness, where there is no power, where we lose our strength.

Our strength comes from our willingness to be seen, just as we are. Click To Tweet

Perfectly imperfect.

Beautiful, sublime, faltering, and flawed.

True strength comes from our ability to practice integrity. And I say practice, because integrity is a practice. It’s a muscle we straighten over time. Choosing to do the right thing, over what’s easiest. Choosing to stand up, speak out and take action even when it’s risky or uncomfortable.

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve enjoyed this video. If you feel it could positively impact someone else, I’d be extremely grateful if you shared it.

Need some guidance on your journey? Contact me to schedule a free coaching session.

Sending you all love,

David