by Breezycycle

Created on: January 17, 2010   Last Updated: January 15, 2012

Some days call for more inner strength than others. The key is finding inner strength is to look inward to oneself. Until we look within,  we might  look to bad habits and unhealthy lifestyles to give us courage. Even with bitter disappointments and the exhaustion that comes with it, summoning strength with  a positive attitude can put us on the path to a better outlook. This inner strength  can lead to personal peace, and personal success.

Personal strength and endurance  result from seeing things that not everyone sees and rising above the events that try to take us down. It takes strength to handle setbacks and to keep going in spite of adversity and the downturn of events in our lives.

The biggest step toward building personal strength is to accept your role in what happens from here on out. Accepting the challenge of "It's up to me now" can be empowering and refreshing. Believe in yourself.

Whether the task is recovering, sustaining, or rebuilding strength, find words of encouragement that are meaningful to you.
Whether it is a song's lyrics, a prayer, a poem, or a quotation,  words and phrases of strength and provide the support or surge of power you need to be feel and be strong.

My Aunt Dorothy always said, "Make-up your mind to be happy." That ties in with accepting the challenge of "It's up to me now."

Her husband, my uncle George, who had more than his share of hard-knocks, lived by his New England wisdom. "Don't give 'em permission to make you feel weak. Be strong instead."  His wisdom was an earlier version of "Just Say No."

Surrounding oneself with people who make you feel capable can be a source of strength. In turn, look for chances to share your strength with others, but in a way that can make them feel capable as well.

The old sayings and wisdom such as "Get the rest and sleep you need" really do make a difference in having the proper outlook to be strong. With proper rest,  things really can look better in the morning. Even losing one hour's sleep each night can make a difference in a week. Simply focusing on getting better quality sleep creates real results in personal strength.

Jobs and careers can define us, but  hobbies and  interests are often where we find ourselves. What worked in our 20s and 30s may need an overhaul by the next decade. Some interests may have to be shelved, but they can make way for new interests and talents to emerge. And if the new interest or talent is something that can be shared with someone else, that is powerful.

Just as interests and hobbies may need an overhaul, physical activity and eating habits may also need some reconstruction. Instead of bemoaning the fact that we can't eat what we used to or work out like we used to is not going to lead to anything positive. New restaurants, new recipes, new ways to get out there and move are waiting invitations to be strong and feel strongagain.

There will  still be some difficult days  accompanied with loss, disappointment, or worry. With a better outlook and nurturing relationships with family and friends, those days will come around less frequently and be more manageable. So it turns out that  Aunt Dorothy had it right: Make up your mind to be happy. There is strength in believing in yourself. Look inward to find your own inner strength.

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