Strong like Bull

What determines strength? This is a concept I have been wrestling with this week and am on the journey to figuring it out; hopefully writing this helps. The dictionary definition states that "it is the quality of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor." Besides about 5 problems I have with that statement, I am still not getting any sort of ramifications for a clear measurement of strength from that sentence. Addressing the physical 1st, how does one know if they are in fact strong if they try with all their might but just aren't able to accomplish the same physical tasks as others? I understand of course that the body structure of most men genetically makes them stronger than woman. But even then, woman to woman or man to man, how is it that some of us can train our hearts out and still not achieve what others can? That makes me think of one my grandmother's favorite quotes by Oscar Wilde- "Be yourself because everyone else is already taken." Fair point...moving on to mental strength. Essentially I think most of us know whether or not we got it. Mental strength of course does not present itself or allow its powers to work in all situations, but for the most part it seems that if you have a good head on your shoulders, you are able to rise above the chaos, learn from the grief, and just grin and bear it. But think about that for a second- are the people who we perceive to be most strong just ignoring the emotional pink elephant in the room? Do be considered mentally tough do you have to train yourself to rid your mind of everyone else's emotions (and even your own) to at least come across like you don't care? I sometimes wonder if it is the people that we think are most strong who are the ones that are crying out for help inside- wishing that they could just put down their armor for one moment to reveal their worries and fears inside. In some situations, it almost seems easier to just push forward, keep mowing on so at least your loved ones around you can look to YOU as a rock for support. After hashing all of this out in writing I've realized 2 things. 1- fine some people's bodies are just genetically stronger than others and that we all have a purpose of being here; no 2 people are alike in that sense for a reason. 2- if you are perceived as mentally strong (and I am now speaking from experience here) it is OK to recognize what you are experiencing inside sometimes. It makes you that much stronger of a person to be able to recognize that maybe something is wrong or that you can't always have a plan mapped out for every moment. Like most of my conclusions- it's all about faith for me. The more faith you have in the ones you love and/or whatever God you believe in- the more positive energy you put out there, the more people you help- the more you will be putting good vibes into the universe. All of which can only attract good things- and the bad things, well those will only help make us stronger :)
xoxo AA