Dayna from LA wrote: “I want to remind myself that I am strong, inside and out, and I have power and agency.”

My Rabbi in Buenos Aires loved the phrase and often asked, “Why do we wish someone strength by saying we ourselves will become stronger?” Of course, as Rabbis do, he’d answer his own question, even if you were just waiting to jump in with the answer. He’d say, “Because it’s through the strength of our neighbors that we grow stronger, and through our own strength that they grow stronger. The two are deeply connected, and we should always recognize and value that interdependence.” This idea—that our strength is tied to the strength of others—reminds me that personal power isn’t isolated. It’s part of a collective effort, where helping others and drawing strength from them creates a virtuous cycle. Acknowledging this connection means we understand that no one stands alone, and our growth and resilience are deeply intertwined with the community around us. It’s a reminder that true strength comes from recognizing and embracing that shared bond.