It is a very big topic. This is especially because strength is a very personal thing. It is subjective. What is strong to one person is weak to another, or bullying to yet another.
[That question. Always a favorite. It's something Rin has spent many a lone hour ruminating on, for, being a teenager in a world that is not very accomodating, she thinks it an advantage to be strong.
That, and she just plain wants to think of herself as so. She's not sure she can do so full, yet, but -- well, it's gotten better.
She thinks for a moment, pushing her tongue against her upper teeth, until she speaks, tone slow and thoughtful.]
There... there is physical strength, of course. That is obvious, right? If you can fight and win... that would make you strong.
But I don't think that's the only definition. I... I think it's strong when you can keep going after going through something terrible. No matter how you go about dealing with it.
It's strong if you know yourself and what you need, and if you can stand up for what you need. I'd... like to think that counts.
Uhm.
[A hesitation, an awkward laugh, then she sends the message.]
I think... yes, physical strength isn't the only definition. Because even emotion can dictate how strong you can be physically. A person with no physical training in their entire life is capable of lifting or breaking a solid object if someone they care for is in danger. So no... but...
[A short pause.]
You say that, but sometimes people don't even know what they need. Is not knowing a weakness? Does it hamper strength...you think?
Yes, I suppose so. It's good to stand up for what you need, though more often that, I've come across many those back home who put aside what they need for a purpose or reason that they deem is greater than themselves.
In this case, in forgetting one's self, for another's behalf -- to whatever cost, whatever limit, all things negative and positive -- does that count as strength too, you think?
Pretty much. Sometimes what drives people to keep going is not exactly healthy?
[Like, say, freeing your mother from slavery, whether she lived or die.
But really, it doesn't matter. She's free, she's happy, so is Dad, and back home, so is Marco. (Except the homeless part. He could do well without that.)]
I want to say that it is determination to see through your belief to the end. But, I'm not quite sure. Sometimes even the belief that your determination stems from is what makes you weak.
Wishes can only get so far though. If one's belief and determination is constantly questioned, wishes can really only get so far. And when that fails too, then what becomes 'strength'?
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[Hesitant.]
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[A pause.]
Then I suppose it is best to narrow it down. Mental and emotional strength... how.... no, what defines it, you think?
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That, and she just plain wants to think of herself as so. She's not sure she can do so full, yet, but -- well, it's gotten better.
She thinks for a moment, pushing her tongue against her upper teeth, until she speaks, tone slow and thoughtful.]
There... there is physical strength, of course. That is obvious, right? If you can fight and win... that would make you strong.
But I don't think that's the only definition. I... I think it's strong when you can keep going after going through something terrible. No matter how you go about dealing with it.
It's strong if you know yourself and what you need, and if you can stand up for what you need. I'd... like to think that counts.
Uhm.
[A hesitation, an awkward laugh, then she sends the message.]
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[A short pause.]
You say that, but sometimes people don't even know what they need. Is not knowing a weakness? Does it hamper strength...you think?
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[Pause as she thinks on this.]
Well, it might hamper things. Because not knowing what you need might cause you to make the wrong choices, and you might regret something.
But I guess being able to live with that is also a kind of strength. If a twisted one.
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Yes, I suppose so. It's good to stand up for what you need, though more often that, I've come across many those back home who put aside what they need for a purpose or reason that they deem is greater than themselves.
In this case, in forgetting one's self, for another's behalf -- to whatever cost, whatever limit, all things negative and positive -- does that count as strength too, you think?
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Whatever keeps you going, I guess. It doesn't have to be a good thing.
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[Like, say, freeing your mother from slavery, whether she lived or die.
But really, it doesn't matter. She's free, she's happy, so is Dad, and back home, so is Marco. (Except the homeless part. He could do well without that.)]
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[You can keep going at it, making sure to achieve the ultimate goal and that is happiness for others. But what if you no longer can?]
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What would you say strength is, by chance?
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Beliefs are flexible, inconsistent things. They're constantly altered by the circumstances around you.
Determination in that is doomed to fail, as soon as the belief fails.
Wishes, however, when felt to the very depths of one's heart...those can withstand every test of time and distance.
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Hypothetically.
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