I have a confession to make

[cloudy]

I am weak.

I know that some people consider me strong. For those, thank you.

That said.....I don't feel strong. I don't face my days with a sense of conviction, and most of all, I feel helpless in the face of some situations I'm privy to. I want to help so badly that it eats me up inside, and I can't, either because of physical distance, or my own situation.

I asked Abs this morning how much longer I had to be "the strong one."

So.....for today, at least, I am weak, because I can't help those I want to.

If I am strong, it is my friends who make me that way. Thank you.

 

[impressive]

I hear & I understand ... and I (still) love you!

 

[Liar]

No, you're not.

Being strong is like being good or being brave. Those who never question their own goodness or bravery rarely are either.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Strength, cloudy, is not neccessarily tied to being able to do something. It takes more strength to be there emotionally and mentally for someone you can't help, than it does to help when you can.

You are very strong. For your friends you are a rock, something they can lean on and count on. And that kind of strength is the hardest to have, because it wears on you to care so much and not be able to effect the changes you would if you could.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

I was watching Firefly last night and was reminded of the line "Run, and when you can't run, walk. And when you can't walk, crawl, and when you can't crawl, find someone to carry you"

Even when you are weak darling, you have friends who will carry you.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I am weak.

I know that some people consider me strong. For those, thank you.

That said.....I don't feel strong. I don't face my days with a sense of conviction, and most of all, I feel helpless in the face of some situations I'm privy to. I want to help so badly that it eats me up inside, and I can't, either because of physical distance, or my own situation.

I asked Abs this morning how much longer I had to be "the strong one."

So.....for today, at least, I am weak, because I can't help those I want to.

If I am strong, it is my friends who make me that way. Thank you.

You're only allowed to feel this today because I know what you are going through, but my dear it's not weakness you feel, it's helplessness. Big difference.

the inability to take control of that situation makes you feel that way but admitting to it and being not just passionate but compassionate makes you stronger than you think.

I know very well what lies inside of you as you know what lies inside of others.

Who else would throw a rope over the edge to me, pull me up and then kick my ass? So if today you need to feel less of yourself than normal, go right ahead because there is enough strength combined in those that love you and care about you to take up the slack.

"There is no strength without struggle" anon.

 

[Guest]

Cloudy,

We all need a "day off" from whatever roles we are forced to hold, even if it is a role we put upon ourselves. And do not feel weak because you are unable to help all those you'd like to help. You are not God. Help when you can, support when you want, and just know we are thankful you are there.

Amazingly, I find myself listening to the words I'm writing. I too feel a need to help everyone in pain around me. But first they need to want to be helped, and are really the best ones to help themselves. It isn't automatically my job.

The strong don't have to always be strong. And the weak, are never destined to always be weak.

On the lighter side, I'm glad the title of this thread was just about a momentary bout of doubt. I was afraid I'd have to whistle at the ceiling while watching the 11 O'Clock news tonight with my family. "An unhappily married woman confessed today to hurting a worthless man on an internet chat room."

 

[AppleBiter]

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

[entitled]

cloudy? You're nuts.

If you weren't strong you would have killed somebody long before now, and would either be a pile of rotten bones somewhere or stuck in a cell with Bertha the bull dyke.

Just have an off day or two, then tell him to piss off (again) and pick up where you left off. It works wonders.

 

[impressive]

cloudy? You're nuts.

If you weren't strong you would have killed somebody long before now, and would either be a pile of rotten bones somewhere or stuck in a cell with Bertha the bull dyke.

Just have an off day or two, then tell him to piss off (again) and pick up where you left off. It works wonders.

Word. It takes a helluva lot of strength to refrain from homocide (although Bertha the bull dyke might be worth the risk).

 

[entitled]

Word. It takes a helluva lot of strength to refrain from homocide (although Bertha the bull dyke might be worth the risk).

Not the Bertha i know. *shudders*

 

[lil_elvis]

Don't give up, girl, then they win.

 

[chris 44]

My friend, I think Abs put her finger on it better than I ever could, please don't mistake helplessness for weakness. It takes strength to raise a subject such as this, or maybe desperation, but not weakness. A weaker person than you would have wrapped their sorrow around them like a blanket, sat in a corner and felt sorry for themselves.

We're all allowed to have our moments of self doubt, AH has its share of such people and I freely admit to being one of them. Yet it's a place where I feel comfortable, I know that if I ask for help it will be given freely. Long distance in many cases, but no less valuable for that. And who was it that brought me here Cloudy ? I don't have to answer that question, because you know who it was, thank you again.

Do you know how much love and respect you have? That's not given lightly, that comes from you, the human being that is Cloudy. It's been hard earned, but your reward is to see it given back so freely.

I don't think I'm saying this very well. I just want you to know that you're not alone, that I care about you and I'm far from the only one. Hold on Cloudy, find a few things to do just for you and take a rest from carrying the problems of those around you for a while, let them carry their own problems.

Well done for letting us know how you feel, the same to Abs. My thoughts are with the pair of you...

 

[sophia jane]

Strength, cloudy, is not neccessarily tied to being able to do something. It takes more strength to be there emotionally and mentally for someone you can't help, than it does to help when you can.

You are very strong. For your friends you are a rock, something they can lean on and count on. And that kind of strength is the hardest to have, because it wears on you to care so much and not be able to effect the changes you would if you could.

Well said, and I completely agree.
And besides, we like to be here and be strong for you Cloudy. It makes us all useful. Lean on your friends when you need to. We love you.

 

[Guest]

 

[LadyCibelle]

Weakness, strenght....it's only words and more than anything in the eyes of the beholder.

You might feel weak today but the people who know you the most also know how strong you are.

It takes a strong person to admit to weakness.
Rely on your friends for today, get your strength back and tomorrow you'll be ready to kick the world's ass once again.

Never forget that you aren't alone Cloudy. If strength could be counted by the number of people who love us and rely on us...YOU my dear would be one of the strongest.

 

[entitled]

Wong thread, so sorry...

 

[simulacre]

Cloudy, I have no idea what you’re going through right now but from what I’ve seen of you I am convinced that you are a very strong woman. The fact that you would question your own strength only adds to my conviction, it takes an enormous amount of strength to question oneself, no?

About a month ago, someone I love told me that he was weak. My answer to that was that there are different kinds of strengths. Being able to recognise our own weakness and vulnerability is a form of strength itself, sometimes just going through the motions takes an enormous amount of strength and learning from what hurts us and accepting our own inability sometimes is one of the greatest strength. It takes strength to look at ourselves.

A few days later the person who had told me he was weak sent me an excerpt from the Tibetan book of Life, saying it reminded him of our discussion. It said that the circumstances where you suffer the most might be the ones where you are the most open and that your own vulnerability could be, in reality, the seat of your greatest strength” (translated by me so don’t be picky). I don’t know if that helps but it’s food for thought and perhaps your situation is one more opportunity for growth

Hang on Cloudy.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

You are neither weak nor strong. You are Cloudy, and she's a very special person with strengths, weaknesses, and times of despair. While reading the other posts, the Serenity Prayer popped into my mind.

God grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

IMHO, the world's a better place because you're here, because you care. But that quality comes at a price. Sometimes it's heartbreakingly high. Today is one of those times when the bill came due.

Love you.

Rumple

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I am weak.

I know that some people consider me strong. For those, thank you.

That said.....I don't feel strong. I don't face my days with a sense of conviction, and most of all, I feel helpless in the face of some situations I'm privy to. I want to help so badly that it eats me up inside, and I can't, either because of physical distance, or my own situation.

I asked Abs this morning how much longer I had to be "the strong one."

So.....for today, at least, I am weak, because I can't help those I want to.

If I am strong, it is my friends who make me that way. Thank you.

Well you don't know me, and I don't know you...but, I asked Charlie Red Elk for advice...and for what it is worth, here it is...

Look inside yourself for the truth, that's where your strength is. Be true to yourself first, and realize that you can not be everything to everyone...you can only be you.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

cloudy, even the strongest of us have days from time to time where we feel weak. You are, by far, one of the strongest women I know, and even if you feel helpless, that does not make you weak.

You show your strength by every day that you wake up and continue on in the situation you are in. You show it every time you defend those that cannot defend themselves. You show it with every post you make in support of your heritage and the fight against the atrocioties that they have suffered.

 

[hugo_sam]

Cloudy Sweetie,
Sorry I have been away most of the day and just saw this.
Take a mental holiday.
You are tired and frustrated, not weak.
You are a pillar of strength to those around you.
Lean on your friends for a while and take a break.
There are few here that garner more love and respect than you.

Rest, recoup (plus you have been extremely physically ill) and wait for another day.

 

[Guest]

http://www.jwolfe.clara.net/Humour/NonMedThumbs/NeverEverGiveUp.gif



For a very long time I had this hanging in my office....​

 

[zeb1094]

I am weak.

I know that some people consider me strong. For those, thank you.

That said.....I don't feel strong. I don't face my days with a sense of conviction, and most of all, I feel helpless in the face of some situations I'm privy to. I want to help so badly that it eats me up inside, and I can't, either because of physical distance, or my own situation.

I asked Abs this morning how much longer I had to be "the strong one."

So.....for today, at least, I am weak, because I can't help those I want to.

If I am strong, it is my friends who make me that way. Thank you.

Cloudy, I would just like to say from what I have seen here on Lit. you are one of the strongest woman among many. Any weakness you may feel is far outweighed by the compassion and friendship you show others. Your staunch support of your friends is commendable and should be praised as often as we can.

So in a moment of helplessness you admit to us, your friends, you are afraid that you may considered yourself weak. When we all know that it takes a strong heart and a sound mind to show the compassion you do on a daily basis.

I hope I am among the lucky souls to be called your friend and know that it is an honor to know you. I will always think of you as a friend who has given so much to so many that is boggles the mind.

Be well my friend.

 

[MissBri]