You are the strongest person I know

"You are the strongest person I know."

These words were written to me in my Mother's Day card this year by my 16 year old daughter. Honestly, I haven't stopped thinking about it since!

I do not feel strong. I feel weak much of the time.

I know I have a problem saying yes when I want to say no. I avoid things because I don't want to hurt other's feelings. I forgive when perhaps I shouldn't. I let people take advantage of me.

Sometimes I feel sad and depressed by people's actions because of these traits about myself. I wonder what kind of example I am setting for my daughters.

Now I know.

They appreciate my kindness and my willingness to accept people and open myself up to them before I know if they are even worthy of that kind of trust. They recognize what I could not before - my actions come from love and empathy.

I realize I have some work to do standing up for myself. But somehow I have raised two daughters who are very secure in themselves and their beliefs, and are strong in will and mind.

Regardless of what you think about yourself, know that someone out there thinks you're the strongest person they know. It just may be that person who is looking up to you or the person you least expect to see in you what you can't see in yourself.