IDENTIFY YOUR INNER STRENGTHS

 

|| IDENTIFY YOUR INNER STRENGTHS ||

 

Whenever a new year starts, many times we, as human beings, have a general habit of making new resolutions and thinking of trying something different. Nowadays, in the fast pace of the world, everyone wants change—whether it's a change in routine life or a change in the way they eat, drink, sleep, or work. Now, the new generation or the new era requires a change in relationships as well, very fast. Working with many parents, youngsters, and senior elders, what I have observed is that the major changes people feel the need to make are often due to peer pressure. Many times, we try to follow what others do. Recently, we follow so many people on social media and try to move with that flow. I have seen a few people who study and do research, trying their best to develop something new. There are also those who work hard to overcome the challenges of their lives, and the majority of people just flow with the competition and often feel insecure in what they do. Many people are earning well but not happy, while some are content with what they have, even if they don't have enough money. Being positive in what I do and working with specially challenged persons, I feel that as individuals in this rat race, we have somewhere forgotten our own inner strengths in life. Why do we exist on this earth? What is the purpose of our life?

 

 

 

When I read about Lord Krishna and his life, I find that despite being a deity, he worked for the well-being of people. He faced numerous challenges, much like any other human being, yet he never gave up. His relationships with family, friends, and loved ones were so strong that no one felt insecure because of him. Whether it was education or dealing with difficult tasks, he carried himself with grace, making everyone feel thankful, despite him being a lord. Even devotees who prayed to him were made to feel special. If a deity can be thankful, maintain relationships, and be committed to every devotee, why can't we as human beings? I believe that by analyzing ourselves, we can discover our inner strength. Understanding our physical and mental strengths, along with realizing the purpose of our existence in this universe, will enable us to concentrate and work towards finding our own inner strength.

 

 

 

Psychological studies suggest that normal individuals exhibit three modes of social behavior, adjusting their approach according to situational demands. One mode involves moving towards others; in doing so, we undertake various actions to gain approval. While this behavior helps us attain security, there are instances when individuals may feel depleted, exploited, or unhappy. The second mode entails moving against others, fostering a sense of dominance, protection, and power. However, this approach can lead to anxiety and a feeling of weakness. It may not effectively address whether vulnerability is acknowledged or resolved. The third approach is moving away from others, reflecting a recent trend towards escapism. By withdrawing from social interactions, we attempt self-protection. In the long run, this behavior can adversely impact our prospects for growth, be it in our careers, emotions, or social interactions.

 

We apply repression as a defense mechanism, inviting anxiety, and unconsciously pushing our thoughts towards negativity. Reaction formation is another mechanism where we try to cope with a conflict. For example, you may have the urge to do something, but socially, it's not acceptable. So, you try to cope with the conflict of whether to do it or not, leading to inner suffering. Projection is another mechanism we apply. If you attempt something and can't accomplish it, the easiest way to satisfy yourself or protect your ego is to blame others, saying that you did the act because of their insistence. Unconsciously, we also rationalize. If we can't do something or don't want to do it, we make excuses. Sometimes, we act smart, understanding the other person's intellect, thinking more cleverly, and trying to defend ourselves in an intellectual manner.

 

Another reaction is displacement, where we attempt to defend ourselves, but out of fear of losing someone or fearing job or relationship loss, we construct a different story to avoid the situation. Additionally, there is the defense mechanism of regression, observable in both children and seniors who struggle to cope with challenges, developing fears and experiencing suffering. We also utilize the sublimation method, finding relaxation or creative expression in nature, such as writing poems. However, when surrounded by numerous defense mechanisms, we often lose sight of our true inner strength.

In today's environment, characterized by marketing-driven materialism, excessive confidence, and the influence of figures such as politicians, celebrities, media, social media, and the scientific community, it becomes challenging to break free from our comfort zones and identify our innate strengths.I met a gentleman who sought voice therapy. He owned a business, was actively engaged on social platforms, and presented himself as a mature and sensible individual. However, he faced a challenging incident, a common occurrence for everyone, involving minor financial issues that he eventually overcame. In his later years, the impact of those difficult times lingered, leading him to decide to disengage from life. Despite enjoying travel and exploration, he lost motivation due to the negative layers of circumstances. He learned to maintain silence, affecting his family members who, in turn, compelled him to visit doctors. Despite doctors prescribing medicines to boost his activity, his inner strength resisted any improvement. The question arose: How could his voice or overall well-being improve?

 

 

Reflecting on this, I shared a video with him, featuring a girl raised in a middle-class family. She learned to be soft-spoken, embodying the delicacy and politeness expected of a married woman in a Gujarati family. After menopause, she struggled with both physical and mental health. During a sports event for hearing-impaired kids, a fitness trainer helped her address her health concerns, emphasizing kickboxing as a beneficial exercise.

 

 

Embarking on kickboxing training, she discovered newfound strength to confront herself, her emotions, and thoughts. This practice enhanced her coordination, focus, and inner core strength, positively impacting her sleeping, digestion, and breathing patterns. She now maintains high energy levels, approaching her workouts with initial doubts but ultimately feeling positive and enthusiastic afterward. Philosophically, she realized the power she had over her mind, unlocking her inner strength.