Ponderings: On Strength

In 2014, Jo_Goldsmith11 took it upon herself to initiate the Light2Love Project Good Words.

Jo pledged to use good words and publish articles used to empower, encourage, support and defend those who need to be shown love.

Jo offered us a good word for each week to focus our thoughts, behaviors and actions on...In the 4th week, Jo wrote her perspective on the word strength.

However, as 2014 came to an end, Jo filed away her Good Word articles - as she begins the process of publishing it in e-book'. Shyron E. Shenko continues to write a beautiful poem to accompany each Good Word to inspire and lead us.

The ripple effect of the Good Words Project throughout the HubVille community has been heartwarming.

Please join me with some of my musical thoughts and reflections on the word strength...

To me, strength goes way beyond brute muscle, power and show of force. The truly strong person possesses self-confidence, resilience and adaptation to the wildly unexpected twists and turns of life. The truly strong person survives, even thrives in these instances...!

Over the years others may have seen me as stronger than I have actually felt. Until now, I have never shared the secret to the appearance of my strength...!

I sing powerful and strong songs before, and sometimes during, things that frighten me. It may be while I am driving or in my head on a train, plane or walking...

If I am driving to a conference or class I teach, I carefully select my musical soundtrack. Even though I'm not anxious at this stage of my career, I always want to be strong, upbeat and positive when entering the class room.

The one song of strength that has been my ongoing mantra since 1979, the year I graduated high school, is Gloria Gaynor's: "I Will Survive"...!

I've selected a plethora of other powerful lyrics that I have grown to love over the years as well. Are there any songs or lyrics that bring STRENGTH to you...like these do for me? If so, please share YOURS in the comment section below... thanks, mar!

You thought that I would die without you - But I'm livin' (1)... Now this is a song to celebrate - The conscious liberation of the female state - Mothers, daughters and their daughters too, oh yeah - Woman to woman, we're singin' with you (2)... What doesn't kill you makes a fighter - Footsteps even lighter (3)... When the deck is stacked against me - I just play a different game - My roots are planted in the past - And though my life is changing' fast - Who I am is who I wanna be (4)... Ricochet, you take your aim - Fire away, fire away - You shoot me down, but I won't fall (5)...

And if I only could - Make a deal with God - And get him to swap our places (6)...after all this time - Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind (7)... Well I know what's right, I got just one life - In a world that keeps on pushin' me around - But I'll stand my ground and (8)... And what it all boils down to - Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet - 'cause I've got one hand in my pocket - And the other one is playing the piano (9)... My make-up may be flaking - But my smile still stays on (10)...

Cause I believe there's a place - There's a place where we belong (11)... And knowing that you would have wanted it this way - I do believe (12)... Oh as long as I know how to love - I know I will stay alive - I've got all my life to live - I've got all my love to give (13)...

Destiny's Child - Survivor (1); The Eurythmics - Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves (2); Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (3); Reba McEntire - I'm A Survivor (4); Ali Brustofski - Titanium (5); Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (6); Elton John - I'm Still Standing (7); Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - I Won't Back Down (8); Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket (9); Queen - The Show Must Go On (10); Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up (11); Chicago - Feelin' Stronger Every Day (12); Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive (13)

When I think of Strength, I know that both Paula and fpherj48 fit the bill.

Paula has been my friend now for well over two years. She is a tower of power when it comes to her friends. That's a wonderful feeling when one is in need of common sense, a giggle or a 'swift kick in the bootay'... in no particular order.

fpherj48 writes with a quick, passionate and strong-wielding pen. Her musings are informative and thought provoking. If you've not had the opportunity to check out Paula's writing, I have included some links below that highlight her strength. She has many others worth checking out as well...

And now I would like to pass the baton of the Project Good Words to you, Paula, with the word of strength.

Hugs and thanks, Maria

© Maria Jordan (August, 2014)