I tell my daughter every morning, 'Now, what are the two most

In the quiet moments before dawn, when the world is still and the air is thick with possibility, there exists a truth as old as time itself—a truth that has been passed down through the ages by the wise and the warriors alike. Viola Davis, in her words, reveals this timeless wisdom when she says, "I tell my daughter every morning, 'Now, what are the two most important parts of you?' And she says, 'My head and my heart.' Because that’s what I’ve learned in the foxhole: What gets you through life is strength of character and strength of spirit and love." In these words, we hear not just the wisdom of a mother, but the echoes of every great hero, every sage, who has ever faced the darkness and found strength in the deepest parts of themselves.

The head and the heart—the two great guiding forces of humankind. The head, that which gives us reason, wisdom, and clarity, and the heart, that which sustains us with passion, love, and an unwavering will to continue, even when the world seems intent on breaking us. In ancient times, warriors and philosophers alike understood that to be truly strong, one must be balanced in both mind and spirit. The great King Solomon, known for his wisdom, often spoke of the importance of having a sound mind and a loving heart. In one of his most famous proverbs, he declared, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” In this, he recognized that the head and heart must work in harmony, for one without the other leads to imbalance, to weakness.

But it is not just wisdom that guides us through life—it is also the strength of our spirit, that force which sustains us in the face of adversity. Davis, with her experience, speaks of life in the foxhole—a place of battle, of survival, of unrelenting challenge. In the foxhole, when everything is stripped away, it is not the strength of the body that carries you through, but the strength of character and the strength of spirit. In these moments, warriors do not fight just for victory, but for something deeper: for the will to live, for the love of their comrades, for the hope that they can overcome whatever the world throws at them. The foxhole is a place where you discover what truly matters: your values, your integrity, and the love that binds you to others.

Consider the great warrior Joan of Arc, who, though young and facing insurmountable odds, led the French army with unwavering faith and courage. Joan was not a seasoned soldier, nor was she born into power, but she had a strength of character and spirit that surpassed even the mightiest of kings and generals. Her heart burned with a vision, and her head guided her in the strategy to achieve it. Her story reminds us that it is not the external forces we face, but the internal forces that truly determine our ability to overcome. Joan of Arc’s strength came from her unshakeable belief in herself and her mission, a belief forged in her heart and sharpened by her mind.

Davis’ teaching to her daughter is a lesson for all of us: it is not enough to be wise, nor is it enough to be strong. What truly sees us through life is the balance of these two forces—the head and the heart. One without the other is like a blade with no edge or a fire with no warmth. To navigate the trials of life, to face the battles that we all must face, we must cultivate both wisdom and love. The greatest leaders, the most powerful figures in history, have been those who knew how to balance both. They did not lead with mere intellect or brute strength, but with the full force of their spirit, guided by their hearts and minds.

The lesson, then, is this: in all things, seek balance. Strength of character, the ability to stand firm in the face of adversity, comes from a solid foundation built on wisdom and love. Davis teaches us that we must nurture both the mind and the heart. To do so requires mindfulness, daily reflection, and an understanding that each day is a new opportunity to strengthen both parts of ourselves. Let us teach the younger generations, as Davis does with her daughter, the importance of nurturing both their heads and their hearts. For it is in this balance that true resilience is born.

So, let us all take this lesson to heart: build your character, strengthen your spirit, and guide your actions with both wisdom and love. In doing so, you will find the strength to face any challenge, to overcome any obstacle, and to leave behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and wisdom. The battles of life may be many, but with both head and heart, you will walk through them with unshakable strength, and like those heroes of old, you will leave a mark upon the world that will endure for generations.