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Real Toughness


Let me tell you about toughness. So much these days we see images of tough people doing tough things. Yet most of these images are of physical fortitude. Being strong physically is great, but being mentally tough is just as important.

Because physical strength is easily recognized and demonstrated is gets celebrated more readily in our culture. Yet since mental toughness is not visible, it doesn't get nearly the same play as brawn. Mental strength is not easy to see, but it makes all the difference in living a fulfilling life.

Being strong of mind means being able to work with difficult thoughts. Its about being with, talking to and comforting strong emotions. Its about wrestling with spiritual paradoxes, existential realities and confusing philosophies. Like a first responder running towards danger, we must train our minds to head towards the places within us which are difficult. Like a martial artist, we must learn mental agility and cunning in order to flow with life.

Those that live an introspective life, or walk a spiritual path, must, at some point train and develop a strong mind. There is no other way to deal with terror, live with suffering or tolerate pain and confusion than crafting a practice of being with one's own mind. The ability not to become undone by fear and to look directly at what is threatening us is truly brave. To be able to know oneself, and do so with compassion...this is real toughness.