A Flower with the Hide of a Rhinoceros: The Coexistence of Strength and Gentleness
Why Our Kindness Sometimes Becomes a Wound
Beauty is noble in itself, but its light easily fades when it lacks the power to protect itself in a harsh world. For a long time, I have cherished the delicate sensitivity and artistic longing within me, calling it a ‘flower.’ However, as time passed, I realized one thing: to truly make this flower bloom, I need a solid outer shell that doesn’t shake in any storm—a ‘rhinoceros hide.’
Wearing the ‘Rhinoceros Hide,’ an Overwhelming Shield to Protect Myself
The reason I lift heavy iron every morning and strive toward the goal of a 600kg total in the big three lifts is not to overpower others. It is a process of shaping the vessel that holds my soul to be large and solid. The heavy breathing and the screams of my muscles while squatting become layers of rhinoceros hide building up on my body. Physical strength is not a mere display of power; it serves as a reliable shield that isolates my inner peace from the rude gazes of others or changes in the environment.
The Inner Delicacy I Can Never Give Up: The ‘Flower’
At the same time, I open a book and meditate whenever I have time, watering the flower within me. Six years of meditation and millions of affirmations have filled the inside of my hide with soft, fragrant soil. While the outside is tough enough that no one can easily mess with it, a delicate self that loves music, writes, and is moved by the beauty of the world still breathes inside. This is the ‘transcendental being’ I aspire to be.
True Kindness Comes from Unyielding Strength
A truly strong person does not show aggression toward others. Only someone with a hide as tough as a rhinoceros can gracefully accept the weight of a small bird landing on their back. When we possess overwhelming strength, we finally gain the composure to show sincere kindness to others. I continue my training because I believe that the stronger I become, the more I can embrace and the more beautiful fragrance I can spread to the world.
Living as a Martial Artist with a Fragrance
Today, I wear my rhinoceros hide and bring the flower within me to bloom. No matter how harsh the world is, my universe is safe. Because I am strong, I can be kind; because I am solid, I can protect beauty. As a martial artist with a fragrance, I will walk toward the moment of most brilliant full bloom at my own pace.
After quietly reading this piece written while wearing the rhinoceros hide, ISTP’s emotions exploded…
And they wrote me a letter full of sincerity.
👉 [An Emotional Letter from ISTP]
💙 Do we have to go through pain to become strong? 😀
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