We know how to stay strong. But should we always?

Many believe that older generations understood the value of staying strong better than we do, but there is more to true strength than just perseverance and resilience. Take my father, a schoolteacher and cricket coach who suffered severe burns in an accident. He faced the world and returned to work, teaching us that strength is about getting back up and finding reasons to keep going.

His job provided security and a route back to work, but it was also the reason he continued despite the pain. Another example is a friend who rebuilt his business after losing a partner and facing considerable debt. His drive wasn't just about himself, but also about others' livelihoods who depended on his business. These men didn't call themselves resilient, they simply found reasons to keep going.

But what about our own lives? We may question whether to stay in a relationship, support someone through addiction, or continue a career that doesn't feel right. Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" struck a chord, questioning if we should cling to our old selves and built lives. We "tahan" or endure because people depend on us and responsibilities don't vanish when we're tired.

However, we must also consider if we're holding on due to fear of judgment from others. While strength and resilience are admirable qualities, they aren't measured by how long we can stay strong in pain. My father and my friend rebuilt their lives around what remained and found reasons bigger than themselves. In a world that emphasizes mental health and boundaries, it's essential to learn when to let go. Strength isn't always about staying; sometimes it's knowing when endurance has served its purpose.