I think it's obvious to us all that if someone can push a car and make it move, (or lift my holiday luggage) then they're very strong. But what about those that carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, does that make them strong minded? The strength of the human mind is very underrated compared with the body. Most people (especially men) are guilty of working out in the vain hope of getting the body of a God, but are we forgetting to exercise our most important organ?
I've been wondering, recently, what constitutes a strong mind? Is it willpower? Is it the ability to be resourceful when something bad happens and deal with it well? If someone's had a calm, happy life, then there's no way they'd be labeled as 'brave' or 'strong', it seems that only the people that have faced big challenges in life that are praised.
How do we define dealing with something well? Is it being strong enough not to cry? Some people probably find it harder to cry than to hold back, as crying's seen as a weakness, I know I try my hardest never to cry in public.
Does strength of mind mean knowing what you want, what your likes and dislikes are? Or is it having the courage to explore out of your comfort zone and find new paths to life?
Is it coping with problems? Or ensuring matters don't become problems in the first place?
After half an hour on the treadmill is it your mind or body that gets you through? I've often heard the phrase 'mind over matter', as humans are a lot stronger when pushed, or scared.
Someone once described me as being string minded, and that's why I decided to write that blog, because it would have been the last word I would have used.
I've always thought quite the opposite, until I really thought about it. Normal everyday events can sometimes make me recoil in horror. And things you won't even give a second thought are most likely to be a mental challenge for me. That's just the way I am. And I thought that this made me a bit pathetic really. Well, it does, I guess. But it also means that because I perceive life to be a lot scarier than it should be, and I deal with it anyway, I'm not doing too bad really.
Experts say that we should keep our brain active all through life, by engaging in activities that make us think. This can lower our chances of Alzheimers and dementia.
But I think that the best exercise for our brains are the ones we do every day. The little challenges that we face, doing something despite reluctance, something that scares us. This builds up resources in our memories and strengthens the neural pathway of 'I can achieve things I initially doubted I could do'.
So let me know what you think of this blog post, but no criticisms please, I can't handle that ;)
Mind and body can both do extraordinary things, but I think being strong-minded is more to with the ability to adapt than anything else. When stuff goes sour you'll naturally want to protect yourself, I think being strong-minded requires a brain in your shoes as well as your head, you need to be quick on your feet to avoid the main brunt of the blow and you need to good head to clean up the debris.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jess, often the strongest people we know are not the ones that have the six packs, but the ones who have faced the worst troubles in life, and managed to come out the other side still smiling. They are the strongest amongst us, not because they have muscles, but because they've been through so much, and can still manage to cope with everyday life. And never think of yourself as pathetic Jess, being scared is something that is only natural to humans. What makes you stronger is your determination, and that's what truly amazes me about you. you never give up, and that, makes you very special indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteI often think that wanting to keep your body physically strong is often to compensate for that person not being able to deal with emotions well, it is a fom of control. I don't think you can determine what makes somebody strong minded, i have experience of depression in my family, and i would say those who have suffered from such a harrowing mental condition are some of the strongest minded people i know, because they have come through the other side, ultimately stronger.
ReplyDeleteYour not pathetic Jess, that is one of the last words i would ever use to describe you :) xx