Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
Ernest Hemingway
Inspiration: A Universe of Infinite Power
The Philosopher’s Corner
I am often moved by the works of Carl Jung, Robert Bly, James Hillman, Joseph Campbell, and other wonderful philosophers behind the depth psychology movement. Their works show an inroad into the psyche (soul) that we all undertake to realize our full potential. Whether they explored the depths of myth, the plight men undertake to realize their emotional potential, or acquired specific knowledge into the workings of the unconscious soul, these individuals drew very similar conclusions.
There is a process we must all undertake to work through our struggles, tend the ashes of the soul, find those burning embers within, so that we may transcend and build an inner character based upon our strength and will to persevere.
Today’s first quote is from Mr. Universe himself. What better way to explore the will a soul has to persevere than to start of today’s series with a person that pushed himself to the extreme, and enjoyed the fruits of that labor. Arnold Schwarzenegger reminds us that strength happens as the will stands steadfast in its capacity to persevere despite adversity. This theme is amplified by the Hemingway who faced his own early adversity, and utilized it to create inner strength exactly where those broken places were, a feat that ultimately became some of the lived themes underlying his work.
Thank you fellow travelers for reading today’s little tale of inner strength and the will to persevere. I hope this nurtures your journey to:
Believe… Achieve… Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams.
