Incredible India Monthly Community Contest for January #1: Strength!

Did you remember that time you see one little boy carrying an heavy bucket of water while climbing a hill, and you will be wondering, “How did this boy have this kind of energy?” Or maybe you have watch one woman which do hustle at the market, carrying load, shouting price, still smile even when life is hard. Sometimes I also ask myself: What really is strength? Is it muscle alone? Or it's something which is inside a person heart and mind?

This question always make me to pause because strength is not only what we see outside. There's how it is inside too. And that's why I want to share my own perspective, so let's reason it together till the end.

For me, strength is not just to be lifting weight or to show that you can fight a person. Strength is a more deeper thing. Strength is the ability to stand firm even when problems full the ground. Strength is when you face challenge, but you don't agree to give up.

I have seen people which has big body but small mind. Once a little problem comes, they will run. But I have also see people which doesn't have anything as a proof of physically strength, but they are strong for spirit. However Strength can surely shows when you can control yourself, when you can endure, when you can still push even when things are tough.

Strength is patience. Strength is also discipline. And Strength is resilience. Strength is when you can say the truth even when lie can benefit you. Strength is when you forgive a person which offend you, because you knows that peace is more important than revenge.

So my own perspective is that strength is the combination of body, mind, and spirit. If you have only one, you are not complete. True strength will balance all.

However, Strength which we have are not suppose to be wasted. If you know something, if you have talent, if you have endurance, you can use it to build yourself and also help society.

For personal development, strength do help to push boundaries. For example, if you have strength of patience, you can use it to learn new skill which is hard. If you have strength of discipline, you can use it to save money, plan your life, and avoid unnecessary spending. If you have strength of creativity, you can use it to start small hustle which will later turn big.

For society, strength do show when you use your gift to uplift others. If you know how to talk, use your voice to motivate people. If you know how to organize, use it to bring community together. If you have physical strength, use it to protect people.

I have learn that when a person is aware of his or her strength, it will be easier to grow. It's just same like when you know that you have talent for football, you will train more, you will focus, and you will turn it to a career. Same thing apply to life. If you know that your strength is endurance, you will use it to survive tough situations and still be productive.

For society, strength is important because it's strong people that build strong nation. If everybody use their strength very well, society will be better. Imagine that mechanic always use his strength to repair motor very well, teacher use her strength to teach children very well, farmer use his strength to plant food vety well , the society will surely be balance.

Strength is a contribution. It's is when you can say, “I am not here only for myself, I'm here to add value.” So therefore,If we all can use our strength to add more value to our life and other people's life, we will shine more than how we are now.

I believe that strength doesn't just end with ability; there's responsibility which follow it. If you are strong, you suppose to use it to do good. Strength which is not guided by righteousness can turn to oppression.

For example, if I have a strength of leadership but I use it to cheat people, that's wickedness. If I have the strength of making money but I use. It to oppress poor people, that's abuse. True strength is linked with righteousness because it's only when you use your strength for good, it will last and will bring respect.

I believe that God give everybody strength for purpose. If you use your strength anyhow, you are misusing the gift. But if you use it to uphold truth, to defend justice, to help others, it's then your strength will be meaningful.

Strength without righteousness is like a cutlass which cut anyhow – it can wound both the owner and the people around. But strength with righteousness is like light which shine in darkness – it will guide, protect, and inspire.

Clearly for me, strength and righteousness walks hand in hand together. If you are very strong, you must also be responsible too. If you have enough power, you must also be humble too. If you have influence, you must also be fair. It's that balance that makes strength real and valuable.

So in all , with my view, strength is not just the physical muscle or energy we have. It's the mindset, resilience, patience, and ability to use our gift very well. If you know your strength, use it to build yourself and society. And always remember that strength that is not guided by righteousness can turn to destruction. But strength which is linked with righteousness can change lives and even nations.

_{All shown pictures are mine shoot on Tecno spark30.}

Cc:
@meraindia