Strength

Anyone who has ever been in an english class has heard of the Hemingway Hero. Traditionally distinctly male, he has long been held as a staple of the literary world. This representation of stoicism and internal solitude invokes the image of strength through the ability to remain uninfluenced by the world and its orbital stochasticity. Eons come and people pass, and yet this hero stands firm not only in what he believes- his principles, but rather firm in what and who he is. It is the nature of such a figure to remain undaunted in the face of probability and despair. The strength of this type of character comes not from adaptability or inventiveness, but rather an ability to defiantly remain in the fortress of oneself- an ability to face whatever comes and say "I am greater than this". However, the Hemingway Hero is neither the most common nor the most prevalent type of strength one runs into, probably because it isn't the most relatable. Few people have this disposition to not internalize, but internally mitigate the complications that loom over their uncertain futures. Rather, for most, strength is found through dedication, either to a person or a cause. How many stories that permeate our culture depict runners who push themselves past rigor mortis to win a race, soldiers who sacrifice themselves to save their squad, or teachers who put up with their unruly students because they believe in their potential? This kind of strength is directly opposite of Hemingwayic stoicism, and rather relies on one's ability to cling on to a principle that they believe to be harmonious with a greater good. This dogged cohesion originates more in the ability to say "this is greater than me". This kind of strength relies on placing the highest priority on something besides him/herself, often in something they very strongly see as good or true. 

I believe that the majority of us live somewhere in the middle of the two. We look at the pillars of solitude and magnanimity and desire to have their resolution, as well as to those who against all odds will not give up and desire to have their dedication. However, inherent in this is a contradiction. When it comes to the violent chaos of tumultuous life, we must look to something in which to abide. Those who find strength in themselves will detest those for whom the object of their determination lies extrinsically; those who find meaning and purpose in a cause outside of themselves will always resent the blasé indifference of the Hemingway Hero. 

Where we find our strength, I believe, is a most integral part of who we are as human beings. It is a dichotomy, not a spectrum. That's not to say that people can't feel both ways about different situations that they find themselves in. In fact, most people will probably find different sentiments within themselves over the course of a day, let alone a lifetime. But rather that upon a single issue, one cannot both be a wave worn pebble and a tenacious barnacle. In which way we are strong, then, can also be in flux. Someone who always finds strength in themselves can suddenly realize that the end to which they are working towards means more to them than the process through which they make themselves work. Conversely, someone who always takes pride in productivity for the sake of influencing the world around them may one day find that the work they produce is as much a reflection of them and their inner nature, and therefore should be the fundamental basis for their proclivities. However, by and large, people either tend to be one or another (this claim is made from personal experience, and like most other things on this blog, probably is inconsequential in relevance, if not in truth). The dividing line, then, when the fecal matter comes into contact with the motorized oscillating blades of a home closed system ventilation device, is where one most often finds their strength. Those who find it internally would deem attachment to be unacceptable and contrary, therefore as weakness. Those who find their strength externally would deem indifference as contrary, and therefore as failure. This creates a situation where judgement is often passed from one position against the other, and accusations arise out of inconsiderate malunderstandings. But seeing as all of us can either only take on one of these views on any given situation, it's important that an attempt at least is made to recognize either inert inaction or impassioned demonstration to be an attempt to rally one's will to persevere against trial and tribulation. Because this strength taken away, we are all left the same- beating hearts in search of something more from a wandering life.