A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is

"A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars." These words, spoken by the legendary singer and songwriter Carly Simon, resonate with the profound strength that lies within every woman who has endured the trials of life. In this powerful statement, Simon speaks of more than mere survival. She speaks of the transformation that comes when a woman faces the battles of her life with courage, and instead of being diminished by the suffering, she becomes ennobled—elevated—by the very scars that tell the story of her struggle. It is a reminder that the trials we endure are not burdens to bear in shame, but sources of strength and wisdom.

To understand this more deeply, let us look to the ancient world, where warriors and heroes alike bore the marks of battle proudly. Consider the great Greek hero, Achilles. His body was marked by the wounds of many battles, each scar a testament to his courage and strength. His vulnerability, embodied in his one vulnerable spot—his heel—was the price he paid for his greatness, yet he bore this vulnerability with honor. The warrior women of ancient Greece, like Atalanta, also carried their scars with pride, for each mark told of a victory earned, a challenge overcome. In the eyes of the ancients, scars were not a sign of weakness, but of glory—proof of one’s ability to withstand the forces that sought to tear them apart. And so it is with the strong woman that Simon speaks of: her scars, whether physical or emotional, are the marks of her battle, and they ennoble her as a queen in her own right.

The modern world, too, is filled with women whose scars have not only shaped their strength but have become symbols of their power. Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for daring to seek education, carries both physical and emotional scars from that violent attack. Yet, these scars have not broken her—they have made her a global symbol of resilience and courage. Her scars, like those Simon speaks of, have ennobled her, giving her a platform from which to inspire millions. Malala, in her strength, accepts the war she went through, not as a victim, but as a warrior who rose above the pain to become a beacon of hope for others. Her story, like so many others, demonstrates that scars are not the end of the journey, but the beginning of something greater.

In the heart of every woman who has faced adversity, whether through violence, loss, or disappointment, there is a unique kind of strength that is born not from avoidance or denial, but from acceptance. The strong woman Simon speaks of does not see her struggles as things to be hidden or ashamed of. She embraces them, for she knows that it is in the very act of accepting her scars that she is elevated. Strength is not born in the absence of pain, but in the resilience of the spirit that chooses to rise each time it is knocked down. The path of the strong woman is not one of perfection, but of survival and transformation. It is through the fire of adversity that she becomes a warrior, and it is in her scars that she finds her true power.

Consider the remarkable journey of Frida Kahlo, the celebrated Mexican artist who bore physical pain throughout her life. Kahlo’s body was marked by the scars of a horrific bus accident that left her with lifelong injuries. Yet, instead of hiding her pain, she used it as fuel for her art, painting vivid self-portraits that showcased her inner strength. Her scars, both physical and emotional, became her muse, and in her creativity, she found a way to transform her suffering into something beautiful. Like Simon’s strong woman, Frida accepted the war she went through and was ennobled by her scars, using them to shape not only her art but her legacy. She became an icon, not despite her suffering, but because of it.

This, then, is the lesson that Carly Simon offers to us: that we, too, must learn to accept the wars we face—the challenges, the heartaches, the losses—and to wear our scars as symbols of our strength. For in accepting our struggles, we find our wisdom, our power, and our purpose. It is not enough to survive adversity; we must embrace it, for in embracing it, we are transformed. Just as a sword is forged in the fire, so too is a woman’s strength honed in the trials she faces. The journey may not be easy, but through the act of acceptance, we are ennobled, elevated, and made greater.

The practical action we must take in our own lives is this: when life’s challenges come—and they will come—we must meet them not with resistance or shame, but with the understanding that each trial is an opportunity for growth. Embrace your scars. Whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual, let them become a part of your story, a story of courage, resilience, and victory. Transform the wounds of your past into the foundation for your future. Honor your journey, for it is through your struggles that you will find the strength to rise again, stronger and more determined than ever before. And in doing so, you will embody the true essence of what it means to be a strong woman, ennobled by the very battles that once sought to break you.