The Indomitable Human Spirit - What It Is and Why It Matters

What is the indomitable human spirit and how can this concept help you get through difficult times in your life? Let's discuss it.

Do you recall times in your life when you were able to push through difficulty despite having very little physical strength?

Have you ever wondered how others have been able to persevere through the most horrendous circumstances, even growing through their ordeals?

That's the indomitable human spirit in action. Let's dive deep into this interesting concept and explore the lessons we can learn.

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What is the Indomitable Human Spirit?

The Indomitable Human Spirit refers to the innate human drive and determination to push through challenges and to succeed, even if it seems that there is no way out.

It encapsulates the feelings of hope and bravery that move us to keep putting one foot ahead of the other, even if we are unsure where the path we're taking will lead to us.

As humans, we cling to hope.

No matter how bad a situation gets, it is our natural inclination to look for the light at the end of the tunnel, to believe that things can be much better than they are currently.

The Indomitable Human Spirit is universal.

People from all around the world can share stories about moments when an indescribable surge of hope and faith overpowered their worst fears and pushed them through situations they never thought they would be able to handle.

When we think of examples of the indomitable human spirit, we might think of holocaust survivors who struggled to hold on to hope during years of unspeakable horror in Nazi death camps.

We might also think of individuals who have lost absolutely everything they had as a result of a natural disaster - their possessions, their home, and even their loved ones - but who were able to keep going because of hope and faith in the future.

Perhaps you can think of a time in your life when you were in the depths of despair but suddenly the indomitable human spirit took over and you were able to make it through?

We often don't really know how strong we are until we find ourselves in a difficult situation, but the truth is that the indomitable human spirit is always lurking in the background, ready to emerge when we need it.

Why It Matters - 3 Key Elements of the Indomitable Human Spirit

When I think about the Indomitable Human Spirit, I instantly think of one of my favourite books of all time, Man's Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl.

The book chronicles Frank's experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

There are a couple of interesting quotes from the book that I think are pertinent to this discussion on the indomitable human spirit. Let's discuss three of them:

It gives you back control

"Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you."

This quote highlights an important element of the Indomitable Human Spirit - it gives you back control.

You could be in one of the most difficult and painful situations ever, but when you tap into the Indomitable Human Spirit, you make the decision there and then to not allow yourself to be a victim of your circumstances.

Even if your external world is crumbling apart, the indomitable human spirit creates within you a vibrant inner world in which you are the victor.

It reveals your true nature

"Even though conditions such as lack of sleep, insufficient food and various mental stresses may suggest that the inmates were bound to react in certain ways, in the final analysis it becomes clear that the sort of person the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision, and not the result of the camp influences alone."

Is the indomitable human spirit the default route for everyone who goes through difficulty?

No.

How you react to trials depends a lot on who you were before the trial.

Adversity can bring out the best in some people, but it can bring out the worst in others.

How you handle hard times is a true show of character.

People who don't have pure, honest motives before going through a trial may end up becoming monsters during a trial - betraying friends and family, and trampling on others in an attempt to survive.

On the other hand, individuals with good intentions can find that hard times make them even stronger and reveal beautiful inner qualities, such as patience and compassion.

Lastly, some people simply give up when trials arise, never tapping into the indomitable human spirit.

These three outcomes illustrate why it's important to reflect on your values and the sort of person you want to be before a trial arises, because trials will exemplify the qualities you already have.

It becomes greater than you

"Such people forgot that often it is just such an exceptionally difficult external situation which gives man the opportunity to grow spiritually beyond himself."

At its very essence, the indomitable human spirit transcends the individual.

Even though it begins with one person's determined effort, it eventually becomes much greater than that.

When someone embodies an indomitable spirit, they become a source of inspiration for others.

And let's be clear - the indomitable spirit doesn't just apply to humanitarian crises and extreme personal difficulty - it also applies to more commonplace pursuits such as entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs demonstrate an indomitable spirit by not giving up while building their business, especially in the early days when growth is slowed and gratification is delayed.

When one person achieves success in business as a result of hard work and perseverance, they become a representation of what is possible for other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Very often, the indomitable human spirit outlives the individual as their story becomes part of a rich heritage for generations to come.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the indomitable human spirit is a concept that we're all familiar with, even if we may not have used this particular term before.

It's a running theme that we see in the plots of many movies and books, because it's universally relatable and heartwarming.

We love to watch and read about others pushing through difficult situations, because it reminds us that we too can make it through whatever situation we're currently experiencing.

Hopefully this post has inspired you to do all you can to embody the indomitable human spirit - it's a powerful force that can propel you to outstanding heights if you choose to tap into it.

To your success,

Roli Edema