Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength.
Ralph Sockman
Real strength does not use force or bullying threats. Being strong is giving myself gentle support that allows me to grow beyond my present capability. Strength is seeing the truth about myself in an accepting, loving light. It is doing what is necessary with kindness and respect for myself and the people around me. The truly strong have no need to be hard or unjust toward themselves or others. The truly gentle have great strength for themselves and for those who reach out to them.
For Today: I see my growing strength in the gentleness and consideration with which I treat people, including those who are closest to me.
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I don’t think I ever realized that strength meant gentleness. That to treat myself with acceptance, love & kindness was being ‘strong’….I considered it ‘weak’. I thought if I treated myself harshly that maybe THAT’S what it would take to get me to ‘shape up & fly right.’ That was a sign of my refusal to accept my compulsive overeating ways as a disease versus a lack of willpower. I thought if I could just find the right diet, that I would be ‘cured’ of my desire to overeat. I felt that I was missing something, not that the desire to overeat was something I had no power over.
I don’t think I ever realized that strength meant gentleness. That to treat myself with acceptance, love & kindness was being ‘strong’….I considered it ‘weak’. I thought if I treated myself harshly that maybe THAT’S what it would take to get me to ‘shape up & fly right.’ That was a sign of my refusal to accept my compulsive overeating ways as a disease versus a lack of willpower. I thought if I could just find the right diet, that I would be ‘cured’ of my desire to overeat. I felt that I was missing something, not that the desire to overeat was something I had no power over.
When I surrendered MY powerless over food was when I was finally ready to accept the truth. Only then was I able to stop acting so harsh & to take on a gentler approach to myself, to others, and to life in general. I realized I didn’t always have to be right; I didn’t always have to have the last word; I didn’t always have to force my opinions down others’ throats. I realized that my opinion wasn’t the be all and end all of life; that others’ opinions were equally important to mine….who knew?
For today, I am grateful for the ability to treat myself and others with loving kindness. There is no need for rudeness, under any circumstances.
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
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