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Can Someone Define Strong

Earlier in the week someone included me in a statement about "strong women", and my initial reaction was such shock that I spent the rest of the day trying to come up with a definition of "strong woman". How do you define "strong"?

I still don't have an answer. I'm not even close.

What I do know is that I certainly don't feel strong. I cave too often to peer pressure. I long to be part of "the group" so much that I throw my principles out the window with ease. I run from taking responsibility for my own feelings and prefer to hide my ideas for fear that someone won't "get them". For the most part I feel like a weak chameleon bumbling through a life comprised of other people's decisions.

So now I wonder...what makes someone strong?

Comments

Christy said…
I think I already said it on Twitter, but I think a strong woman is one who is uncompromisingly herself, no matter who that may be at any given time. I think it's the bravest thing you can do, being yourself.
I hope things are OK...you know how to find me if you need me. I mean, I know you've got plenty of "strong women" around you, but if you need one more...

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