Working on problems and self-examination is a sign of strength.

Hear the voice of Dana Reeve, who walked through sorrow and struggle with grace, and who declared: “Working on problems and self-examination is a sign of strength.” These words are a lantern in the darkness, for they remind us that true strength is not shown in denial or pretense, but in the courage to look inward, to face what is broken, and to labor for healing. Many imagine strength as hardness, the refusal to bend, the mask that never cracks. But Reeve teaches us another way—that strength is the humility to admit our struggles and the bravery to confront them with honesty.

The origin of this saying lies in Reeve’s own life of endurance and compassion. As the wife of Christopher Reeve, she cared for her husband after the accident that left him paralyzed, while raising their child and carrying her own burdens. She became a symbol of resilience, not because she lived without pain, but because she lived with integrity and light amidst it. Her words flow from a heart that knew suffering, yet also knew that facing one’s own soul—through self-examination—was not weakness, but the foundation of strength.

History too teaches this wisdom. Consider the tale of Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, who commanded armies and ruled over millions, yet filled his private journals with relentless self-examination. He questioned his motives, chastened his pride, and sought to master his own spirit before mastering the empire. Though surrounded by glory, he knew that the truest battles are fought within. His Meditations echo Dana Reeve’s truth: to work on problems, to examine the self, is a greater victory than any conquest of nations.

There is here a profound lesson about the nature of courage. It is easier to turn away from our flaws, to silence the questions within, to project an image of strength while trembling inside. But such strength is brittle. The one who dares to look inward, who faces their fears and failures, builds a foundation unshaken by storms. For when we examine ourselves, we strip away illusions, and what remains is authentic, resilient, and unbreakable. This is not the strength of stone, but the strength of living oak—flexible, rooted, enduring.

Self-examination also teaches growth. A person who refuses to reflect remains forever trapped, repeating the same errors. But the one who is willing to work on problems, to admit fault, to change course, becomes greater with each trial. Think of Nelson Mandela, who in prison reflected on his life and on the struggle of his people. By confronting anger, bitterness, and despair within himself, he emerged not only unbroken but magnified, able to forgive and lead with wisdom. His strength was not in the iron bars he endured, but in the inner work he accomplished.

The lesson for us is clear: do not hide from your problems, and do not fear self-examination. To look honestly at yourself, to admit weakness, to labor on your faults, is not defeat—it is victory. It requires strength to be vulnerable, strength to change, strength to grow. Each act of honest reflection makes you stronger, each problem faced with courage forges resilience. By working inwardly, you prepare yourself to stand outwardly, steady in the face of life’s storms.

Thus, O seeker, remember Dana Reeve’s wisdom: working on problems and self-examination is a sign of strength. Let your courage not be the mask that hides weakness, but the light that exposes it, transforms it, and turns it into power. Look inward daily; ask where you falter, where you may grow, where love may be deepened. For in this practice lies the truest strength—the strength not only to endure life, but to shape it with clarity, humility, and grace. This is the strength that outlasts hardship, the strength that inspires others, and the strength that builds a life worthy of remembrance.