TWO UNSUSPECTED BUT POWERFUL FORCES…

letincellecurieuse
Jul 3
8 min read

Determination : this quiet and unwavering force

Determination is that inner strength that allows us to never give up, even when obstacles seem insurmountable. It keeps us anchored in our goals, prevents us from giving up and pushes us to move forward, step by step, towards our dreams. When motivation runs out of steam and failures multiply, it is she who reminds us that every difficulty is a learning opportunity.

Despite the storms, we must continue to move forward with an iron will. People endowed with this, of which I am one, are not necessarily the loudest or the most visible in the sense that they do not need to make a ton..., let's say that they are visible in their own way and only people with their own discernment can see them..., as for the others, these people disturb them, scare them with their authenticity among other things, and are not in false pretenses, moreover they have a concrete and sensitive inner strength. Furthermore, determination is often silent, but powerful.

" I never lose. I either win or I learn. " Nelson Mandela

This philosophy defines true determination. It’s an attitude that allows us to bounce back after every storm, to grow after every fall.

Determination is one of the most underestimated qualities, however it is essential to successfully complete our projects. It is our inner compass, keeping us focused in the face of adversity.

" If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then rampez, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward. " Martin Luther King Jr.

Being determined allows us to continue, to move forward despite obstacles, criticism, and doubts. It gives us the strength to get up after each fall and to stay focused on our goals, even when the path becomes difficult. In a world where everything seems to be moving faster and faster, it's easy to lose sight of your ambitions. Social pressure and temporary failures can shake our confidence, but determination acts like a solid ink that keeps us from drifting.

I have encountered many obstacles in my life, even today and not the least..., but thanks to my determination and my strength of character, I never give up, the key is to stay focused on your goals, on your life path.

“ It’s not the size of the mountain that matters, but how you climb it. ” Confucius

This quote well defines this quality and strength that is determination, which does not consist of looking for shortcuts, but of preparing oneself mentally and physically to face difficulties while keeping one's head held high. This requires iron discipline, but also unwavering faith in yourself, especially when you are doing it alone, and when I say alone, I mean alone..,, in fact I have no accounts, nor owe anything to anyone! What's more, the measures advocating: support, help, et cetera..., are nothing but hypocrisy, both in form and substance, in substance, in substance... it is neither more nor less than fake, even more so when you do not correspond to “their so-called boxes” in which they want to lock you (we will cover this subject in another article of course) and believe me I know exactly what I'm talking about! This is why it is important to be yourself.

Kindness : One of the qualities that is often underestimated…

Too much Often kindness is seen as weakness, it's easy to believe that kind people are destined to be taken advantage of or left behind. However, this view is deeply flawed. They know how to discern, choose to be kind, and this requires considerable courage.

Being kind doesn't mean giving in to every request or letting yourself be walked all over. Kindness is, on the contrary, an expression of strength and self-control. It requires great empathy, an ability to understand others while remaining faithful to one's own values. It’s a delicate, but powerful, balance.

Let's take the example of people who practice kindness every day, despite adversity. They do not seek revenge when they are hurt, nor do they seek to dominate their relationships. Instead, they choose self-forgiveness, listening, and compassion. These acts, although discreet, build bridges, strengthen human bonds, and inspire authentic respect.

Maya Angelou summed up this idea perfectly : “ People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. ”

If determination is a raw force that allows us to persevere, kindness is a subtle but equally essential force. However, kindness is often perceived as a weakness because we too often associate empathy with naivety, and altruism with fragility. This belief is not only wrong, but it prevents us from seeing the true power of kindness.

As I often say : " nice guy has only one eye. " That is to say, kindness is neither blind nor naive. Being kind doesn't mean being walked on or having no boundaries. On the contrary, truly kind people are often those who know how to set clear limits while remaining human. They choose kindness not out of weakness, but by choice, and that requires a force immense emotional.

In reality, kindness is an engine that creates bonds, inspires confidence and strengthens cooperation. It is the key to successful human relationships, whether personal or professional. A leader who practices kindness will have a much greater impact on his team than a toxic leader, this is valid whatever the area of life...

“ Kindness in words creates trust. Kindness in thought creates depth. Kindness in giving creates love. ” Lao Tseu

I have often observed that kind people, are those who show empathy and listening, are those who are respected the most contrary to popular belief. Kindness does not mean bending to the wishes of others or giving in to their every request, it means being strong enough to choose the path of compassion and understanding, even when it seems more difficult.

A very often heterodox confusion!

Those who confuse kindness with weakness

Way too muchOften, some people exploit the kindness of others, wrongly believing that they can abuse it without consequences, but they are sadly mistaken. As this popular saying explains: "Don't take my kindness for weakness, it's my greatest strength."

Individuals who overuse kindness eventually discover that kind people are neither naive nor weak. On the contrary, they are generally the most resilient and those who, in the long term, are the most respected. Those who see kindness as a weakness often come up against a harsh reality: the true power of a kind person lies in their ability to stand their ground, to set limits while remaining true to their values.

Kindness in the face of toxic people: setting limits

That said, kindness should never mean backing down or tolerating the unacceptable. In certain situations, and when dealing with certain people, kindness alone is not enough. It is essential to know how to set limits, especially when dealing with toxic or ill-intentioned people, or even very ill-intentioned people, psychopaths...

I remember moments in/of my own life where I was confronted and still today with deeply toxic people. These individuals, often manipulative, attempt to destroy the integrity of those around them. They are ready for anything, discrimination including acts of moral, physical, psychological harassment... Their violence, whether subtle or obvious, attacks not only self-esteem, but also the dignity of the person. This is no longer a question of simple disagreements or tensions, but of a serious attack on integrity,

When faced with manipulative or destructive behavior, it is essential to not let kindness turn into submission. It is vital to say "NON", even more so when this "NON" is a question of survival. This NON is often necessary in the face of toxic, even psychopathic behavior, which can sometimes go as far as extreme violence and here I weigh my words... Unfortunately, in certain tragic cases, these individuals can even seek to take the lives of others, simply because a person has dared set your limits and say NO,

In my career, I have been confronted with such situations. I've seen how kindness can be exploited by those who don't respect other people's boundaries. But I also learned that kindness must always go hand in hand with the determination to protect yourself. To be kind is also to be farm, know how to say stop, And move away from toxic people to preserve your own inner peace.

The balance between kindness and determination

It is important to understand that kindness is not a sacrifice, just like determination, which must be nourished by a healthy balance between giving and preserving oneself. A kindness that forgets to protect itself ends up wearing out. By finding this balance, you can not only continue to be kind, but also preserve your energy and well-being.

Determination helps us never give up, when kindness seems not to be recognized or reciprocated. It pushes us to continue, to persist in our values, without giving in to the negative behaviors of those who seek to demoralize us.

If you remain purposeful and authentic in your kindness, you will:

Achieve your goals while maintaining healthy and balanced relationships;
Inspire others with your resilience and humanity;
Attract the right people around you, those who respect your values;
Live in harmony with yourself, without compromise or regrets.

In summary, determination and kindness are far from incompatible. These are two complementary strengths which, together, allow you to overcome life's obstacles while remaining true to yourself and others.

In summary, always keep in mind that being determined does not mean being ruthless, and being kind does not mean being weak. On the contrary, these two qualities are the foundations of a fulfilled and authentic life. And as the American writer Henry James said so well :

“ Three things are important in life: the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind. ”

The most important thing to keep this balance

For find a balance between determination and kindness. There is no point in feigning toughness to appear strong or hiding kindness for fear of being taken advantage of. One of the great lessons of life is that authenticity always triumphs. Being yourself means accepting your qualities and faults, and moving forward with confidence.

Determination allows you to persevere, to stay focused on your goals, even in moments of doubt. As for kindness, it allows you to remain in harmony with others and especially with yourself, to create authentic and lasting relationships.

Stay true to yourself (even more so when you don’t fit into any box…), with its values of kindness and determination, is one of the greatest strengths that one can cultivate. Many have to play a role to meet society's expectations, to be accepted... Yet when we move away from who we really are, we lose part of our inner strength.

By remaining yourself, we attract the right people, those who respect and appreciate our authenticity. Being determined in one's kindness means persisting in benevolence without being influenced by ambient cynicism. It is also a way to transform your environment... Small touches, altruistic gestures, and words of encouragement can create a ripple effect. They not only transform the lives of those who receive them, but also those who give them.

So the little one tips What I can give you is to keep your light, your smile, your joy, your optimism and positivity, you know who you are, where you come from and where you are going! As for those who are bothered by this, continue to bother them... I tell you from experience, and above all it is their problem, not yours!!!

Stay focused, believe in yourself and stay yourself! 💪🏼👌🫶😉

Until the next spark!

The Curious Spark