“Strong people don’t put others down. They lift them up.” – Michael P. Watson
This quote grabbed my attention immediately. Is it because I often witness strength as clobbering others instead of helping them? Growing up, I thought strength meant standing tall by putting others down. I saw people who spoke fiercely and disrespectfully to others being recognized as strong and powerful. Despite my doubts, these were the individuals we children were taught to respect. “Really?” my curious young mind questioned.
Over time, I learned that their loudness was often a mask for fear. They were disguising their insecurities with raised voices and stubbornness. Such behavior was not respectful, nor did it deserve respect.
When they lose control, they act unreasonably—not out of strength, but from a lack of safety. It’s rather childish behavior. A truly strong person is secure enough to respect others without feeling threatened. They don’t need to bring someone down to secure their place; they know their place in the world is safe.
It’s not their fierceness that commands our respect; it’s their ability to stay calm and be a beacon in times of adversity that truly earns our admiration.
In a world that often confuses strength with the ability to dominate, let’s redefine what it means to be truly strong. Real strength comes from the ability to uplift others without feeling threatened. It’s about understanding that we don’t need to compete for our place; we can all thrive together. Truel strength ensures being calm, compassionate, and supportive of each other. True strength isn’t about putting others down; it’s about lifting them up, creating a safer and more connected world for everyone.
This piece is written in response to the two hundredth and nineteenth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – SAFE hosted by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.
Void Thoughts 
You echo my thoughts Vinitha. We think loud aggressive people are the strong ones. Most of them are driven by thoughtless anger or are just bullies who quieten down when someone louder and more aggressive shows up. True strength is in showing kindness, specially to those who aren’t as strong as you.
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Unfortunately, we most often see the bullies lauded for their strength. Those who genuinely pull others up rather than push them down are few and far between, I think.
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Like they say, those who don’t know things, know it the loudest.
With time, I have realized the power of silence and the strength in kindness. I hope everyone does too.
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While I agree that true strength is pulling someone up, but sometimes in order to do so, a display of anger is necessary to show the bullies that you will not put up with their behaviour. There are times when quiet strenght is required and times when you need to be vocal.
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Ooh, I understand that, Sunita. In this post I was talking about the ones who use only their loudness and anger to be in control of others, which others mistake as strength and power. These are bullies who only bullies others without an ounce of kindness or goodwill. I know such people who only exist to show their authority.
Of course, we need to be assertive when the situation calls for it. Being heard in this world taken over by bullies requires a lot of strength.
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Lots of food for thought here, Vini. I guess the stereotypes for strength have been handed down to us. We see such a blatant display of this in politics and family dynamics, where one group of people lord it over others!
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