“Be strong. Stay strong.” “You can do this. You can handle anything.” “I'm strong. I know my limits.” “I can handle this. I can do anything I put my mind to.” “We are powerful. We can do anything. We are worth it.” Sometimes I feel like this is the anthem of our generation. It’s splashed across TV ads and Facebook pages. Some form of it is the creed of most health based or counselling companies. Everywhere I turn, someone or something is there to remind me, that I just need to stay strong, because I am strong…and don’t forget it! Do these statements cause you to feel motivated, inspired or uplifted? I don’t doubt that they are well intentioned, or that there is kindness behind them, but, to me, they are empty and I cannot take any hope from them. The thing is, I know myself, my foolish pride, the lust of my heart and my vast and crushing weakness. When I am at a breaking point, or am testing how close I can get to a certain temptation, what I want, what I de...