“The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it.”
-Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States and served two terms. During his tenure from 1913-1921 he led us along with the Allied Powers to victory in World War I while establishing the League of Nations in the process. He is also credited with having the Nineteenth Amendment that gave women the right to vote passed and ratified during his second term. His quote today promotes two important attributes of self awareness within it: self-confidence and self-perception.
As we all know, it is much easier to swim with the current than against it. The thing is easier doesn’t always make things better. Besides what if you don’t want to go the way the current is pushing you towards? You then head down a path that can get you way off course of where you truly want to go. When we have more self-confidence in our own abilities, we not only trust the unique qualities that are within us but also are able to cast better judgment on how to best handle ourselves as certain situations arise.
When we paint an accurate self-perception of ourselves we realize what are our strengths and limitations. This in particular relates to us swimming against the strength of the stream that Wilson is referring to. That strength of the stream or current essentially represents the various struggles in life we face in order to get to where we want to go in life. We realize that with solid effort and perseverance, we will overcome obstacles that are in our way. It is also where our knowledge and previous experiences come into play and afford us that opportunity to use our skillsets to push through the challenges before us.
Knowing what we are up against allows us to better strategize and formulate a plan to come out on top of any situation. When we understand and recognize how our thoughts influence our behavior, we will be better at utilizing our talents for the greater good.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards improving your self awareness?
Becoming The Change 