Strength of Character. Strength of Mind.

28 Days of Gratitude – Day 11

Today I am thankful for the many opportunities to build strength of character and strength of mind.

When something goes wrong, how do you respond? Does it take you down? Or do you always find a way to shift beyond it?

You hold great power and strength if you learn to keep it pushing, even though it might be painful to do so. But please know, if you choose to withdraw from the world for a short while, it doesn’t mean you hold any less power and strength. This is self-care. Sometimes we need to withdraw for a short while, in order to make the appropriate shifts and changes.

My thought...

As a society, it’s important that we reconsider and restructure the concept of what makes a person weak and what makes them strong.

In my opinion, we create a weak foundation when we seek power and authority using methods that manipulate, control, and dominate the other person. Yet, this method seems to be highly accepted and integrated within the current culture.

To embody true immoveable power is to be able to shift our eyes away from the ‘noise’ and be able to stand firm within our own belief systems – but not in a way that seeks to manipulate, control, and dominate the other.

It is important that we seek to empower those around us to become the best version of themselves, as opposed to tearing them down.

If we choose to tear those around us down, or are finding that we are consistently being torn down by certain people within our lives, then the question becomes “why?”

We can become empowered through recognising that we don’t need to adjust to everybody else’s way of being. Those who are for us will be there; and others will fall away.

A motivational speech will always be most impactful when it is offered from the heart space. It is a beautiful thing when we witness a fellow human shifting to a place where they are no longer afraid to speak their deepest truth.

We can choose to support and empower each other. Alternatively, we can seek to disempower or disengage.

Something I have struggled with a lot was this thought that stepping into my power might mean I am showing up in a selfish or greedy way. I personally fear becoming egotistical. Some seem to already suggest I am egotistical, selfish, or greedy. They lean into the thought that I am always trying to ‘win’. But are they truly seeing me?

They cannot see my heart space. They cannot see my underlying intention.

And are they willing to shift their perception of me as I grow and change?

If we choose to step into our power, it does not immediately make us selfish, greedy, or egotistical. But it’s important that we are mindful of our intentions. People pleasing might on the surface seem to be a selfless act. The problem is, it is probable that we will enable toxic behaviours of others through people pleasing… and in doing so seek to control the narrative.

Some make us feel we are selfish when we go with the flow of who we are… stand in our power… set healthy boundaries – and allow what will be to be.

This is only because it goes against the flow of who THEY ARE in that moment. They don’t personally want to adjust. They require for you to adjust. But how many times will you adjust before it will be their turn?

The question becomes, is adjusting for the highest good of all?

Perhaps they suggest it is. But if we consciously observe what would be for the highest good of all, might we come to a very different conclusion.

The difference between whether we are selfish, or not, can be found through our intention. Do we seek to control the narrative? Do we wish the best for the other? Is the love towards them conditional or unconditional? Do we seek to manipulate, control, or dominate the other? These types of questions can shine a light on what we need to see.

What I have realised is that there is no need to manipulate, control, or dominate the other when we are in a leadership role. The audience can be drawn in by the power of the words that are being spoken. It is not necessary to step into our darkness or sacrifice our own personal morals.

To be able to stand in our power without feeling the desire to manipulate, control, or dominate will always be true strength in my eyes.

I get the feeling that when I stand in my power, I am seen by some as that person who is trying to dominate. Through my own observations of the human desire to control, I am constantly adjusting how I show up in this world. BUT I don’t seek to hide my Aries nature; in fact, I seek to uncover it and understand it more and more. I am curious about my Aries nature and why certain people interact with me in a certain way. I learn through the many interactions.

I used to think that I should not step into my power, as it seemed to draw out the competitive nature in others. I used to save my competitive nature for board games, where it was more accepted. But what I am realising is that it is a part of me. It is one of the gifts I carry. I sometimes seem to come across as dominating or aggressive, even though this was never my intention.

The thing is that we all need to see what we need to see at some point.

It was never my job to shine a light on this for every single person. But perhaps I was always supposed to offer a powerful mirror to certain people who stumble across my path. Perhaps I’m meant to show them what they need to see; and then step back and allow for them to decide what they want to do with that information.

What I have been learning is to show up in my authenticity and then step back and allow whatever will be to be. I cannot control the perception of others. All I can do is continually show up as my best self.

It is a truly memorable moment when we decide to step into our power, after a lifetime spent being heavily manipulated, dominated, and controlled. In this moment we choose self-love, self-acceptance, and self-care. And if we are lucky, then perhaps we will be able to pass the knowledge that we have learned along to the next generation for their benefit.

When we have walked this road, the interesting thing is that we become fearful of being dominant, controlling, or manipulative to others – and so we become hypervigilant in how we show up in the world. But it is through becoming hypervigilant that we see what we must see. If we are living through consciousness, our hypervigilance in this area can lead to us making positive adjustments to how we show up in the world.

Our foundation will be weak, when power is gained and maintained through manipulating, controlling, and dominating others. If the illusion is broken, the game is up. On the other hand, everybody wins when we reach to become our own person AND seek to empower those around us to do the same.

Consider sharing at least one thing per day for the next 28 days that you are truly grateful for If you would rather not share with friends, then feel free to join Embracing Our Inner Unicorn, where you can share with people on a similar journey to yourself:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/724204191982387

Thank you for reading. Wishing you so many blessings today and always.

This content is created by Rachel Reeves, who has always been a deep thinker. She previously played the supporting role in the lives of those around her, and very much held back on sharing this gift fully with other's. This is Rachel stepping very much out of her comfort zone, into what she now knows to be her inner calling, and sharing her thoughts with the world.

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This video and article is intended to support self-growth, but the information provided is to be taken as personal opinion only. Feel free to take what resonates, but use your own inner-wisdom and guidance when doing so -- you know yourself much better than anybody else ever will. The information provided is to be in no way regarded as Medical, Legal, or Financial Advice. Please seek professional advice where needed. Thank you.