What is strength, anyway?

[entitled]

As was pointed out in the gender issues thread, it takes strength to leave an abusive relationship. However, it also takes strength to remain in such a relationship until the time is ripe to take action.

So what does that mean strength is? Is it the ability to use actual physical "manly-man" force? Is it the ability to withstand emotional bombardment? Is it something else?

i've got my ideas, just curious as to hear yours.

 

[rgraham666]

As was pointed out in the gender issues thread, it takes strength to leave an abusive relationship. However, it also takes strength to remain in such a relationship until the time is ripe to take action.

So what does that mean strength is? Is it the ability to use actual physical "manly-man" force? Is it the ability to withstand emotional bombardment? Is it something else?

i've got my ideas, just curious as to hear yours.

To me strength is strength of the soul, the ability to make decisions on your moral context and then act, or not act if necessary, on the conclusions you reach from that.

And then being able to live with the consequences of those actions.

 

[Mari J]

...it also takes strength to remain in such a relationship until the time is ripe to take action.

I disagree with that premise. The time to leave an abusive relationship is always now.

 

[minsue]

I disagree with that premise. The time to leave an abusive relationship is always now.

That really depends on one's network of support. There's not much point in leaving if you don't live through it, is there?

 

[R. Richard]

IMHO there are different kinds of strength.

The most obvious is physical strength. Physical strength is a useful tool. It is a necessary tool and, where the individual does not have it physical strength can be hired (police, firemen, etc.)

Mental strength is also a useful tool, but ideas alone are hard to convert to action. There are many brainy people who never find too much advantage to their mental strength.

There is social strength. Many people who are not all that strong pysically or mentally can manipulate the people around them to get what they want.

There is moral strength, the strength to see what is right and do what is right. Unfortunately, in our society moral strength is often a practical weakness.

The most successful people seem to have at least two different kinds of strength. They use one strength to create opportunities and the other strength to market the opportunities.

 

[entitled]

umm... You're missing the point of the thread.

(Not you, RR. You were posting as i was. )

 

[Quiet_Cool]

As was pointed out in the gender issues thread, it takes strength to leave an abusive relationship. However, it also takes strength to remain in such a relationship until the time is ripe to take action.

So what does that mean strength is? Is it the ability to use actual physical "manly-man" force? Is it the ability to withstand emotional bombardment? Is it something else?

i've got my ideas, just curious as to hear yours.

Strength is the ability to convince yourself and/or others that you aren't weak.

Even if just for a moment, even if just long enough to get done what needs done.

Q_C

 

[BBWetKitty]

umm... You're missing the point of the thread.

(Not you, RR. You were posting as i was. )

I thought everyone was entitled to their own opinion.

 

[entitled]

I thought everyone was entitled to their own opinion.

i'm not arguing with that. However, i didn't start this thread to continue the conversation about abuse. This isn't the thread for it even though it was inspired by it.

 

[Xelebes]

Sthenos sun Enkephalos

A mixture of the two. It also depends on the situation.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

The greatness of a man's power is the measure of his surrender.
--William Booth

 

[BBWetKitty]

i'm not arguing with that. However, i didn't start this thread to continue the conversation about abuse. This isn't the thread for it even though it was inspired by it.

Perhaps someone read "manly-man force" as a reference of abuse. Perception can be a powerful thing.

 

[entitled]

Perhaps someone read "manly-man force" as a reference of abuse. Perception can be a powerful thing.

This is true. However, the question implied in the first post was completely ignored.

 

[BBWetKitty]

This is true. However, the question implied in the first post was completely ignored.

You mean "What is strength?" I see the majority of the people posting in reply to your thread addressing that question.

 

[entitled]

You mean "What is strength?" I see the majority of the people posting in reply to your thread addressing that question.

They are now, yes. Which is a good thing! Yay! When i posted the original remark that got your attention it wasn't the case.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I think that the issue of it taking strength to pursue either option suggests that there is some difference between strength and judgment. I believe that a very misguided person can still show great fortitude.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I believe that a very misguided person can still show great fortitude.

Might doesn't make right... but it's still might?