It’s only lately that I have come to appreciate Heraclitus’ saying “the only thing that is constant is change.” Dealing with change through life’s ups and downs requires inner fortitude. Nearly everyone encounters challenges and unprecedented circumstances in some form or another, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status. The key to coping effectively with difficulties in life is to develop and nurture inner strength, also referred to as atmabala, which means the strength of the soul. People with significant toughness of spirit tend to have a high emotional quotient and are known for being resilient, patient, calm, and composed while dealing with hurdles in life.

There are several ways to develop and nurture inner fortitude, such as meditation, practicing compassion, and managing reactions to provocative situations. Connecting with others and surrounding oneself with inspiring people is essential for developing a higher emotional quotient and staying positive. This is where the community plays a pivotal role in facilitating efforts to develop inner strength. My community interactions have helped me gain a broader perspective on life, as I am able to observe and learn from the resilience and perseverance of those around me. For instance, community efforts to rally together for the collection of funds and distribution of rations to daily wage laborers during the recent lockdown (a result of the Covid-19 pandemic), gave me a glimpse of their hardships due to loss of livelihoods and greater appreciation of blessings that I take for granted. Such experiences have helped me realize that in the face of human suffering, being of assistance to others gives a sense of fulfillment, which in turn boosts inner fortitude.

Spirituality and faith can also help build inner strength, as belief in a higher entity reassures people that there is someone looking out for them. It also promotes acceptance of life’s challenges as a transient test. In my community faith aids people in dealing with hardship, as they believe that this life is temporary and better times will come if they remain strong and perform good deeds. The five daily prayers spread out over the day provide an excellent opportunity for expressing gratitude for one’s blessings and relaxing the mind. I too find myself turning to spirituality and faith, especially in times of unexpected challenges such as this pandemic, for restoring and enhancing my inner fortitude.

Another avenue for seeking inner strength is through the tight-knit family bonds typical of South Asian communities, where the majority of the population lives with extended families. Thus, family support and advice is nearly always available and provides a loyal support system to help deal with any challenges or hardships. My family likes to have mini conferences to assist members in dealing with major decisions in life. In my case, a recent gathering included my parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins to discuss my future, including higher education opportunities, prospective career paths, and extracurricular interests. Apart from receiving constructive feedback, this feeling of being cared for and loved enhances my inner fortitude and reminds me that I have a rock of support to guide me in times of need. Moreover, I am often enraptured when listening to life stories regaled by grandparents, uncles, aunts and close neighbors. Their life experiences, including struggles in college, marriage and careers, may have occurred several decades ago, but lessons learned from these experiences are strikingly relatable. Simply knowing about their rigorous work ethic, tenacity, and hard work helps boost my motivation levels and determination to excel. Knowledge about their experiences has made me fully accept the fact that life is in essence turbulent, hence Heraclitus’ emphasis on accepting change. This newfound consciousness has helped me cherish and appreciate every blessing, value small moments of happiness, and enhance my sense of fulfillment.

Developing inner strength is challenging. However, by interacting and surrounding myself with community members that are role models for inner fortitude, I remain inspired and driven to build my inner strength to cope with ups and downs in life effectively.