“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” – Bob Marley

Every so often, something unexpected reaches into our lives and speaks louder than the noise around us, affecting us even as leaders.  For me, it was a quote that appeared on my social media feed—unassuming yet unforgettable. The day it landed, it didn’t just speak—it *wept* with me.

There are days when a simple scroll through social media stops you in your tracks. Not because of a breaking news story or a viral video, but because of a quote. A sentence. A truth that slices through the noise and speaks straight to your soul.

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”

That day, those words—attributed to Jamaica’s own Bob Marley—landed in my spirit like a thunderclap. I wasn’t prepared for the weight of them. They didn’t whisper. They didn’t tap. They crashed through my defenses, uncovering an ache I hadn’t fully named.

Suddenly, in the quietness of the room that weekend, I was drenched in tears, as though I had just received devastating news. But there had been no phone call. No knock at the door. Just that line. That truth.

And it touched something already stirring inside—a pain buried, a question unspoken, a strength I had not yet claimed.

It is strange how healing sometimes begins with heartbreak. That post found me when I didn’t even know I needed to be found.  I was a leader, yes, but I needed attention that day.  Those words permitted me to pause. To feel. To acknowledge that I was holding on with everything I had…and that it was okay to let the tears fall.

I have long since passed through that season. The shadows have lifted. But the echo of that moment still reverberates in my story. That quote became a cornerstone in the foundation of my resilience. It wasn’t just a line—it was a lifeline.

So if today you find yourself staring at a screen, stunned by a few unexpected words, let them speak. Let them break you open. And then let them build you back stronger.

Because sometimes healing begins with the words we didn’t know we needed…until they found us.

Reflection Prompt for Readers:

Have you ever had a moment like this, where a few words unearthed something inside you?  How should a leader react in such a moment?  What quote has stayed with you through your journey?

Healing is not always loud. Sometimes, it begins with a whisper. A sentence. A tear that catches you by surprise. But in those moments, we discover a strength we did not know we carried—and perhaps a new story waiting to be told.

 I’d love to hear from you. Share your quote—or your moment—in the comments below. Let’s grow stronger together.