What is Strength?

What exactly is strength in America?  Is it the accumulation of wealth?  Is it bullying other’s into submission?  Is it telling others what to do and them watching them do it?  Is it creating an empire around you or building a name? 

I think most Americans have lost their way on what strength and power mean today.  It isn’t how many followers you have on social media.  It isn’t how much money you make.  It isn’t being in charge of others. 

Strength is doing the right thing even when you are pressured to do the wrong thing.  Strength is having the emotional depth to face world problems rather than turn a blind eye because you find what is before you discomforting.  Strength is building the weakest link rather than cutting it loose.  Strength is compassion and cooperation, not dominance.

I am mocked every day because I am sensitive, because I have compassion toward others, because I am not comfortable with profit or capital gain at the expense of others.  I am made to feel that I am weak, that I am not part of the team.  I am pressured to question my values.

I can’t stand my job, not because of what I do, but because of the politics, the lies, the hypocrisy.  For a lot of Americans this is a game and people’s lives are tools.  The sense of accomplishment lies in manipulation and dominance, not in working together to achieve a common goal that helps all involved.

Contrary to what the politicians preach, strength is education, unity, and supporting those in need.  I am ashamed at how unbridled capitalism and monopolistic greed have reshaped morals and a perceived justice system in this country. 

America will never be great again until we shake superficial, extrinsic strength and replace it with intrinsic strength, a strength united and compassionate for all.