Strongly affected by issues of oppression against black as well as gay people, British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre wrote “Something Inside So Strong” in 1984. A live version sung by him in 1987:
Excerpts of the lyrics:
Many of us can relate to the need to have inner strength in order to deal with a myriad of types of issues in life. Psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, believes that inner strengths “include capabilities (e.g., mindfulness, emotional intelligence, resilience), positive emotions (e.g., gratitude, love, self-compassion), attitudes (e.g., openness, confidence, determination), somatic inclinations (e.g., relaxation, grit, helpfulness), and virtues (e.g., generosity, courage, wisdom). This is the good stuff we want to have inside ourselves” (Psychology Today).
These can be cultivated via various methods. Hanson asks us to consider the following four questions when faced with a tough issue (click on the PT link above for further clarification):
- What’s the issue?
- What psychological resource—inner strength—if it were more present in your mind, would really help with this issue?
- How could you have experienced this inner strength?
- How could you help this experience of inner strength really sink into you?
Hanson suggests his book Resilient may help you figure out number 3, and his acronym HEAL (Have, Enrich, Absorb, Link) can help with 3 and 4. (Click on the HEAL link.)
Another tool is therapist Amy Morin‘s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” (See this previous post.)
Back to the song. The Spirituals Choir, formed in response to the George Floyd murder and its aftermath, gave a rousing rendition of “Something Inside So Strong” in London as part of a televised program related to black history:
Below is South African singer Lira offering this song to an enthusiastic, appreciative audience. Posted 10 years ago on YouTube:
