Weakness is the mortal condition to which we are born. Of all animals in this world there is none that are weaker for such a long period of time than that of a human child. Many animals are up and walking within days or weeks. By comparison the human child can take up to a year or longer to balance and walk. The fast walkers still require more than 7 months.

While visiting SeaWorld yesterday I discovered that the polar bear cub is chased off by its mother when still less that 3 years of age. At this age the cub has fully learned all the skills necessary for survival, and is ready to take on the world.

Compare this to a human child, many of which still need support and guidance into their 20’s.

We are born into weakness, and weakness is the natural condition of mankind.

We are given weakness for a purpose.

1/ Weakness creates a situation in which each of us can really be tested. If everything came easy there would be no real growth. If everything’s fell into our lap we would not need to develop a drive. We would not need to develop our will power. We would not learn to make sacrifices, and to delay gratification. We would not learn that consistent effort and dedicated progress over time produce the best results.

2/ Weakness provides a dependence on others. Weakness shows us that our lives are dependent upon others. As a child we were totally dependent on our parents or guardians. As we grew we depended upon others to teach us about life and the world. None of us have become who we are today without the influence of others. This dependence is there throughout our lives, and will continue. Accepting direction and correction in our lives keeps us humble.

3/ Weakness also serves to keep us grounded. Man is constantly in need of growth and weakness provides a condition in which we must continually push against our natural inclinations. It may be natural to be lazy, tired and weak. To give into that which is easy or requires no real effort. To take on habits and addictive practices that require nothing of us. Knowing this natural part of out nature gives us the opportunity to develop character. It gives us the opportunity to recognise that no matter how far we have come, the natural part of ourselves is STILL THERE. This keeps us grounded because we recognise that all of us are born with weakness, and will continue to harbour weakness our whole lives. Recognising this gives us the opportunity to turn weakness into strength. What keeps us grounded is the fact that this is an ongoing and never-ending process.

Weakness serves a great purpose in life. We should all be grateful to have weakness. Weakness gives us the desire for growth, the desire to serve others or rather the desire to life the burdens of others. It is our own weaknesses that enables us to look upon others with compassion. It is our weaknesses that enable us to have empathy and sympathy for other human beings. The desire that we have to overcome our our own weaknesses serves as a launch pad for our then showing others what is possible.

Therefore the human condition of weakness is actually one of our greatest strengths. As we are tested in life we can become powerful and strong. As we are dependent on other people we learn that there is great strength in collective knowledge and wisdom. This dependence on other human beings makes us strong. Remaining grounded also makes us strong as we recognise that day by day we are developing character through our daily efforts.

Let’s be grateful that we have weakness, and grateful that life is such a tremendous adventure in which one of our greatest challenges is to consistently convert weaknesses into strengths.

Next time your weakness rears its ugly head, do not think that there is something wrong with you. You are not broken. You are not beyond hope. You are simply experiencing the natural burden of living.

Dust yourself off, hold your head high and believe that this minor hiccup in simply a blip on the radar of your insatiable hunger for ultimate success and victory.

Turn the natural condition of weakness on its head, and be unnatural by believing that you have the power to overcome every weakness, and turn these weaknesses into you greatest strengths. Then show others that they can do the same.