Today, we’re exploring the concept of strength and the importance of slowing down to focus on your goals while staying true to your core values.
A few months back, I sought the help of a dog trainer to address some minor behavioral issues with our beloved chocolate chip nugget of love, A.K.A Livy. Needless to say, walks were a power struggle, and when she would see other dogs, forget it! Get ready to be dragged down the sidewalk! Surprisingly, the most valuable lesson we learned during this training session wasn’t about correcting Livy’s behavior—it was about my own energy. I discovered how my energy directly impacted her behavior. It served as a huge reminder that our internal state 100% influences our external environment. The trainer emphasized that before engaging with Livy, I needed to be calm and relaxed. This got me thinking: shouldn’t we approach life in the same way?
Recently, I came across a quote that hit me: “Real strength lies in being able to yield when necessary while understanding and staying true to your core values.” This powerful insight, discovered in Breathe Magazine, highlights the importance of slowing down to become more self-aware and take time for true reflection, especially in a world that often glorifies constant motion.
Consider this, let’s say you want to get in shape. You want to lose weight, tone, and maybe build muscle mass. Well to do that you go to the gym and ultimately have to tear the muscle you already have, but you can’t do that 7 days a week! You have to have rest days! Rest days are crucial for building muscle during workouts because in those rest days are when our bodies repair. Moments of stillness are vital for our mental and emotional well-being as well. In life, we face constant challenges, adversities, and setbacks; and just like rebuilding our bodies after strenuous workouts, we need to give our minds and emotional wellbeing time to heal and process as well. Yet, in our fast-paced society, we’re bombarded with messages glorifying hustle and productivity. However, true strength isn’t found in pushing through exhaustion—it’s found in knowing when to pause, breathe, and address our challenges head-on.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Several years ago, I was working at a school that was facing immense challenges. We were understaffed, overworked, and under constant pressure to turn things around. And while our efforts paid off in the form of improved performance, it came at a cost to my health and well-being. I was working long hours, neglecting self-care, and eventually found myself on the brink of burnout. I was barely eating because I convinced myself that I “didn’t have time” and I practically was fueled by coffee! Don’t even ask about my water intake because I was functioning on pure dehydration. (Don’t recommend y’all!) In fact, at one point I found myself in the ER with severe chest pain, and an inability to take a breath. This was not a heart attack, it was a panic attack, and the stress I was facing was taking a severe toll on my body. Despite achieving success at the school level, the toll on my health and well-being was undeniable. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I realized the importance of prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries.
So, how do we cultivate this strength of yielding in our lives? Well, I will tell you one thing, you don’t have to wait until your body shuts down! It starts with self-awareness and a commitment to our core values. It means setting boundaries and refusing to compromise our principles for the sake of outside validation and acceptance.
However, navigating this journey isn’t easy. We’re constantly bombarded with distractions and societal pressures to conform. Yet, our goals and dreams belong to us alone, and we must stay true to our path despite external influences.
To maintain focus amidst the noise, we have to define our goals clearly and create a plan to achieve them. We have to physically determine our destination and outline our path and the necessary stops along the way. Eliminate distractions, stay motivated, and surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your journey. You have to think about what YOU want to accomplish, not “What would other people want me to accomplish?”
Remember, strength isn’t always about forging ahead; sometimes, it’s about having the courage to pause, yield, and reconnect with our true selves. So the next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe, ground yourself, and reaffirm your values. That’s where real strength lies.
Remember to stay true to yourself, write down your goals, and give yourself permission to pursue your dreams. Listen to the It’s A YOU Thing Podcast for more!
Recent Comments