"When you're scared and confused 
and you don't know what to do

Just remember to remember you are strong."

     -Susan Kay Wyatt, Rob Peters, Kasi Peters

    (I AM STRONG, from the CD The Twelve Gifts of Birth)

After a month of looking at strength in many ways, I hope we'll "remember to remember we are strong!"

In closing, I want to add this perspective: 
There is strength in each gift and each gift can strengthen us. Beauty. Hope. Faith. Love. Courage. Joy...every one of the gifts is a kind of strength in itself and can help "make us strong" and keep us strong. 

This perspective connects back to the "Do What Makes You Strong" touchstone that appeared this month.

To take that intention further, I have just posted on my website, CharleneCostanzo.com, a new blog, titled "Do What Makes You Strong: Walking My Talk."  You can access it here. 

In it I share my story, which I hope will inspire some fresh ideas for you to fuel your inner strength. It's wise to nourish our strength every day and to do it in ways that bring us joy.

In closing this month's focus on strength, I am adding some questions for you to consider. They are from Touchstones: Stories for Living The Twelve Gifts. You'll find them below. 

Let's also remember, from another touchstone, that "When we cry, it doesn't mean we're not strong. When we doubt, it doesn't mean we've lost faith. And when we fall, it doesn't mean we can't go on."  

With so much love,
Charlene

For Reflection, Journaling and Discussion about Strength     

Do you consider yourself to be a “strong” person? Why? 

How have you used strength? Start by recalling a time when you called upon strength. Was it to face a challenge? To complete a project? To follow a dream? To be present in a situation? Remember that strength takes many forms, such as will, resolve, determination, and perseverance; and it can be brought into all aspects of our lives.  

What stirs a feeling of empowerment in you?      

From what activities do you draw strength? Prayer? Walking? Meditating? Dancing? Swimming? Talking with a friend? Playing rousing music?      

In what situations and areas of your life would you like more strength to flow?  

THE FIRST GIFT IS STRENGTH. 
May you remember to call upon it 
whenever you need it.  
from The Twelve Gifts of Birth