You may have come across the term ‘quiet strength’ and wondered what it means and who it might apply to.
You have probably seen quiet strength in action, at work, when socialising and even in movies – although if you don’t know what it is you may have missed it.
Quiet strength is often associated with individuals who have undergone some intense activity or experiences that many have not. Often the ex forces, retired cop or someone that has seen the sharp end of life and dealt with it, will demonstrate quiet strength – an ability to think and stay calm, consider others and to react when necessary.
The special forces
Members of the military are often associated with quiet strength, it has been said that the knowledge and wisdom they gain along their journey makes them a bit different.
The fact is they are often living and breathing examples of quiet strength. They deal with unseen situations that many could not even imagine.
It doesn’t take much to see the value of quiet strength or to understand why many associate it with this form of service.
- Author – Dungy Tony
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- By – Tyndale House Publishers
The everyday person
Most people will never find themselves in the situation that the military or first responders are regularly exposed to, thankfully for us – our lives are far less eventful and we often go through life without an awful lot happening at all.
But when we find ourselves in a position where we need to deal with some form of adversity, it is far easier for us to respond and behave like they do if we have been exposed to their type of training.
For those that have had minimal exposure to the type of environment that these individuals experience on a daily basis, a little introduction will go a long way to learning what quiet strength really is.
Things like going through law enforcement training or criminal justice courses in college are a great start, you learn how to deal with situations that require some level of self-control and properly respond in many different situations.
You can also look into other forms of training such as boxing, bjj or muay thai.
Becoming and staying fit means that you have an advantage when it comes to quiet strength – anyone can respond with their fists but successful student of the martial arts know that their skills are a last, defensive resort.
Where do you see quiet strength in action?
So how can we tell that someone is demonstrating quiet strength ?
Let’s take a look at some examples; when standing in line at a supermarket or post office, having a long chat with the cashier about anything and everything?
Although it would seem that having a long conversation would be easy – (just exchange small talk) consider what happens when something goes wrong, an impatient customer decides they have had enough and needs to get their items processed as quickly as possible.
The person demonstrating quiet strength will empathise with others in the line by acknowledging their frustration while at the same time remaining calm and polite to both themselves and to everyone else.
They will then proceed with what they were doing before, having a friendly chat but resolve matters quickly if need be and try to resolve them amicably.
For example – the cashier may offer a discount on some items that are particularly slow to be processed, perhaps some other goodies and so on.
The point here is that the person demonstrating quiet strength can control or delay their needs for the needs of others – they know how to prioritise in a manner that will benefit everyone involved.
Quiet strength does not mean putting yourself before others but it means finding a way to meet everyone’s needs – not just your own.
Quiet Strength In Action Part 2
Let’s look at another example, this time you are the recipient of a promotion that requires you to work longer or to travel more than before.
Although it may seem like an awesome new opportunity, some people simply want their lives back and do not want to be responsible for other people’s happiness or success.
The person with quiet strength on the other hand will acknowledge that they have been blessed and thank their lucky stars for this opportunity, before setting about making plans for the future while considering how it may affect others around them.
They also consider whether they are up to the task at hand but do not sit around waiting for someone to tell them what to do.
People with quiet strength also know how much is too much and will ask for help or support if they need it – this way they never feel like a burden on others and there are no expectations for those who provide the support.
In turn, they repay their debts as best as possible and sometimes by simply being there for others.
Final Words
Quiet strength is not something that everyone has or can achieve but it is worth working towards – you know what’s right and wrong, you remain calm in trying situations and you are polite to those around you.
By knowing yourself better, understanding your needs and the needs of others; making plans and being able to carry them out, you can improve your quiet strength with time and experience.
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