TED KENNEDY FINDS STRENGTH IN A MOMENT OF CRISIS—WHERE IS MY STRENGTH?

January 24, 2019

There are times when life takes a turn and grabs your complete attention, when you have no choice, but to take note. At this moment my mother is living in a nursing home and it is time for my siblings and me to empty her home. As anyone who has gone through this process knows, it is not easy. Most of all it is emotionally exhausting. I am not ready to write about it yet; I will, but later.

I reread this piece from 2008 about finding one’s power and I decided to repost it:

I was struck watching Ted Kennedy wave to the press as he left the hospital. After being given a life-changing diagnosis, he knew, with total conviction, what he needed to do—go sailing. He needed to clear his head and gather his strength.

He had a clarity and self-assuredness that made me wonder, what would I do if I needed to gather my strength? I found the fact that I didn’t know worrisome. Would I go for a walk on the beach, sit at a café in France, or sit under the tree I’d discovered as an adolescent?

That tree was located in the middle of a field overlooking rolling hills—it felt magical. Sitting under it, looking out over the landscape, made me feel clearheaded and sure of myself. Unfortunately, at this moment, I don’t have such a place.

I know I would take a long walk, but I can’t think of where I would go. I’d put my headphones on and listen to great music. I’m just not sure what music truly empowers me. How could I not know that? That realization made me profoundly sad.

Knowing that there are things out there that give me strength, but not knowing what they are feels similar to having a goal I want to achieve, but not knowing how to accomplish it. Instead, I just sit back and hope it will happen. It might, but do I really want to be so passive, leaving it to chance?

Ted Kennedy’s certainty showed me without question that the time to define what I need to maintain my strength is now, before I need it.

* * *

In the years since I thought about what I would do to connect with my strength, I have realized that I do know what I would do: I’d go to a museum to see great art, the theater to see a play, or listen to an amazing concert. Connecting and immersing myself in creativity is a sure way for me to get inspired and feel my power.

How about you?

Do you know where to go or what to do to connect with what gives you power?

Is there something you discovered recently or have you always known how to find your power?

Do you do it often?

Let us know.

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