The Strength within us
Revolution, financial crisis, coronavirus pandemic, under pressure Lebanese Lira, salaries cut off or maybe layoffs, etc. All these situations riding on our patience, making us doubting the future, depressed, having fear of death, or even trying to commit suicide.
What will keep us smiling? What will make us smile?
“We are all in this together”, we heard this empowering expression, a lot, and we felt the empathy towards others. Acting responsible in these hard times was innate and spontaneous, which was great, indeed. I can really say that I was touched by all the efforts put by communities, Governments, organizations, and others.
But what if acting responsible was beyond our financial, physical, and even emotional capabilities, what can we do to help others, our beloved ones, and ourselves?
What if we felt that we need strength, how will we get it? how to give it to people around us?
How to tell them it will be alright at the end? Can we still smile?
During the quarantine period, I was talking to my mother while having our morning coffee, trying to plan what to do after the pandemic is over.
“After this pandemic is over, Mom where you want to go on a trip, or maybe travel if we could do it financially of course, what country?”.
“None”, she replied. Ok, I was shocked, Mom usually likes to go out and see new places.
“Sure? U don’t want to go on a vacation to your dream place or country?”, I asked again
“No, my dream place is where you and your siblings are, it is the happiest place ever”, she answered.
I smiled. That was the kind of strength I wanted.
Strength is within us, no doubt, it is from the God within us, but strength is within others as well, within family, friends, and even strangers. It appears in their smile, their sincere words, their caring, and kindness. The strength arising from their unconditional love.
The unavoidable was what we had been and are going through, everything around was shut down not only business but our daily activities, our hope in a better tomorrow, and our resolution for the new year.
But I can tell you what is avoidable! You can avoid depression, you can avoid fear, you can avoid doubts, you can avoid suicide. How?
By opening your senses to your surroundings, by opening your heart to the others, by trusting the strength within. The strength that will illuminate your face by a charming smile.
The smile that will definitely make a difference.
The fact that “we are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself” as the famous Gibran Khalil Gibran said, we have to fight for this life. And remember, it is through serving and giving that we find joy and therefore find life in exchange.
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy” – Rabindranath Tagore
Joelle Mikhael El Hindy
MAY 02, 2020
