Today I am grateful for Fortitude — not the typical “strengths” we have been taught to praise, for real Fortitude has little to do with the powers we possess, and rather everything to do with being able to Give of those same strengths to others.  For me, Fortitude has nothing to do with “making life better” and everything to do with doing Good with the life that already has already arrived.

For me at least, real Fortitude is not physical power …

 

For me, true Strength comes from choosing to be intimate with strangers.

For me, real Fortitude is not the ability to destroy things …

For me, true Strength is choosing to celebrate Life.

For me, real Fortitude is not breaking the law …

For me, true Strength is seeing & accepting the gifts offered you.

For me, real Fortitude is not provoking others with word or deed …

For me, true Strength is caring for children.

For me, real Fortitude is not exploring the “darkness” of your past …

For me, true Strength is forgiving others now.

For me, real Fortitude is not establishing “healthy boundaries” …

For me, true Strength is being gentle with our enemies.

For me, real Fortitude is not doing “daring deeds” …

For me, true Strength is pausing to smell the flowers.

For me, real Fortitude is not civilians aggressively protesting war …

For me, true Strength is soldiers making Peace.

For me, real Fortitude is not headstrong determination …

For me, true Strength is flowing with what already IS.

In-deed, I am thankful today for my ability in every moment to make al these latter choices aforementioned; to do choose ever anew that one small-yet-brave deed of Kindness that will change another’s life forever.

And so it is that I climb to my proverbial mountaintop, take a deep breath filled with profound reverence, and let loose with a long & loud –

Thank Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Filed under: 40 Days of Gratitude by Scaughdt