Overstraining is the enemy of accomplishment. Calm strength
that
arises from a deep and inexhaustible source is what brings success.
arises from a deep and inexhaustible source is what brings success.
We
see very often that people try to overplay their hands, that they try so hard
to do something or control something or somebody because they want others to
think that they're super strong. They're posing. Many kids in my
high school classes are posers in this way. Someone hurts them and they
say they don't care when they really do. Someone takes something of
theirs and they have to threaten the other person with physical violence, just
so that others can see that they're "strong."
But real strength doesn't manifest itself in overexertion or threats against
others or in being "better" than others. Real strength is seen
in the person who can look at a situation and act truly and authentically,
without worrying what others may think of him or her. Real strength is
seeing the situation and determining what is an appropriate response no matter
what onlookers may think of it.
One of the strongest people I've ever known never, ever had to prove her
strength, and she never talked about how strong she was. She did the work
she needed to do without doing 60-hour weeks, and her work was better than that
of others who were killing themselves at her job. She was confident and
she knew what needed to be done and she did it well, without forcing herself to
do more.
If we want to be successful, it's important that we keep in mind what
Rabindranath has said here. It's the calm strength that comes from deep
inside that helps us to be truly successful, that helps us to accomplish
wonderful things. We may do some things well without that calm strength,
but that success is fleeting, and we can't count on it to repeat itself.
The inner strength is the great gift that we can give to the world, for with it
we can contribute great successes that are lasting.
* * * * *
Questions to consider:
* * * * *
Questions to consider:
What's the difference between inner strength and superficial strength?
Whom do you know who has each kind?
Why does inner strength seem to be more rare than superficial strength?
Why do people who depend on superficial strength tend to overstrain so often?
* * * * *
For further thought:
* * * * *
For further thought:
You will succeed best when you put the restless,
anxious side of affairs out of mind, and allow
the restful side to live in your thoughts.
anxious side of affairs out of mind, and allow
the restful side to live in your thoughts.
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