2. You can be strong without having to act tough.
Did you know that being strong is not the same as acting tough. They are two different super powers.
Even grown-up adults can be confused about what it means to be a strong kid.
An adult like a parent or a teacher who doesn’t know what it means to be strong might tell you to, “Stop crying! Don’t be such a baby.”
Let me promise you that crying is NOT a sign of weakness. And everyone cries - babies and adults.
But here’s what I guess you don’t know: sometimes tears are a sign of your superpower - your amazing strength.
Strong people like you show their feelings. People who act tough pretend they don’t have feelings. You will often hear people like that say, “I don’t care. That doesn’t bother me,“ even when they feel sad about something.
Often when they say that, it is a sign that deep inside they are scared or fearful. Keep an eye out for the next time that happens and just make a mental note of it.
Sometimes people think that being strong means acting like a bully. That is NOT true. The real reason most bullies try to control other people is because they can’t control their own thoughts, feelings or actions.
Strong people focus on controlling themselves instead of others.
Below are some more differences between being strong and acting tough:
Kids who work on being strong:
- They want to become better everyday.
- They say things like, “I could really work on my self-confidence..”
- They acknowledge and express their feelings.
- The focus on becoming better on the inside.
- They don’t worry about how they look to other people.
- They are interested in liking themselves. They care about their own character.
- They know that mistakes and failures will make them stronger.
- In fact, they try to make a small mistake every day and learn from it. They know that failure is feedback on how to improve.
- They don’t spend too long on social media but instead do things like read books, draw, paint, bake a cake or plant a seed on a pot to help it grow.
Kids who are just pretending to be tough:
- Hide their mistakes.
- Think that only losers fail.
- Are mostly interested in being popular with everyone.
- Don’t want to improve or grow.
- Pretend they do not have any feelings, except perhaps anger.
- Worry too much about what other people think.
Being strong and strong mental health is not about thinking everything is great, pretending to feel happy all the time or acting like you don’t have any problems.
It’s about learning how to think, feel and act in a way that helps you become your best self.
It’s about liking who you are now and trying to become even better tomorrow.
“What one thing could you improve about yourself tomorrow? Perhaps do something nice for yourself or that you enjoy? Perhaps paint a picture or read or tidy your room so it feels nice for yourself?”
See you next Sunday!
Remember - You are amazing! You are loved.
Your Strength Coach ❤️