Shadows

Strength is something we can demand of ourselves. I don’t become strong because it’s willed upon me, I become strong because I exercise my will upon myself. We have a choice in how this is built. Strength is presented differently, but felt concretely. I have needed to exercise this recently within my life. Being challenged externally doesn’t determine growth, but meeting the challenge because we demand it of ourselves is how strength develops. But for what reason? Why would I put myself through such a grueling process? To prove that I can? In some ways, yes, to know that I am capable. It’s incredible how much I can withstand for things I care so little for, “shadow careers” as Steven Pressfield calls them in his book, The War of Art. How does one apply a developing strength to be a lever to offset the fear surrounding our true callings?
Strength doesn’t remedy fear and for many fear won’t disappear. We can’t be comforted into creating the world we wish to live in. And it’s tempting to go on believing it will be a soothing transition into self discovery. Hopefully it is, but there is no guarentee. We value what we work for and the world we truly value, will most definitely be one we’ve earned.

To be continued…