An Invincible Summer in the Midst of a French Winter
How Camus Can Help You Find Strength and Resilience
This is such a well known quote although maybe not the full quote usually just the part about the invincible summer. It’s by Albert Camus, a French philosopher and writer whose words often captured the deep truths of the human experience in a way that we can all relate to.
"In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realised, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back."
These words resonated with me the first time I read them but it would be many years later that I felt them deep within my soul as if I was actually living the words.
Let’s pull it apart to get the most from it.
"In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love."
Hate is a powerful and destructive force. It can make the world feel cold, harsh and unforgiving.
But within each of us, there is an invincible love. This love doesn’t depend on external circumstances; it is an inherent part of who we are.
For me, this invincible love was my connection to others, my compassion, and my ability to care deeply despite the pain.
"In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile."
Tears are a natural response to pain and sorrow.
They are a release, a way to process the emotions that overwhelm us. Research has found that shedding tears releases oxytocin and endorphins, so they make us feel better.
Even in the midst of tears, there can be an invincible smile – a resilience that refuses to be dimmed.
When I left my husband and returned to France, I cried so much. But gradually, I found moments of joy, small instances where I could smile again, even amidst the sadness.
"In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm."
Chaos can make us feel lost and out of control. It can be difficult to find our footing when everything around us is in turmoil.
But within us, there is an invincible calm – a stillness that can ground us no matter what is happening externally.
During the chaotic period of rebuilding my life, I discovered practices like meditation and mindfulness would help me tap into this inner calm.
"I realised, through it all, that… In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."
Winter, in this context, is more than just a season. It symbolises those cold, barren times in our lives when everything seems bleak and hope feels distant.
For me, winter came literally and metaphorically when I left my husband. I returned to France at the end of October, stepping into my first real winter after living in the warmth of Asia. The physical cold mirrored the emotional chill I felt inside.
My heart was broken, and I was facing the daunting task of rebuilding my life from scratch.
But through it all, I knew I had an invincible summer within me – a source of warmth, hope, and resilience that could not be extinguished by what was happening outside of me.
"And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back."
This final part of the quote was a powerful affirmation of my inner strength.
It acknowledged the challenges I was up against but reminded me that within me was something stronger, something better that could push back against the difficulties.
This realisation is what brought me true happiness and peace. It wasn't the absence of struggle, nothing was magically repaired overnight, but what made me happy was recognising my inner strength and resilience.
Camus’ quote is a reminder that we all have an invincible summer within us.
No matter what we are facing, or how painful our days are, there is a part of us that stays resilient and hopeful. All we need to do is find that part of ourselves, look after it, and let it guide us through the tough times.
For anyone going through their own winter, remember that it’s okay to feel the cold, to feel the pain.
But also know that within you lies a strength that can’t be extinguished.
Take time to meditate, to study, and to find your own invincible summer. It’s there, waiting to be found.
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Find Your Inner Invincible Summer Meditation
Join me for a calming and restorative guided meditation designed to help you discover and embrace the invincible summer within you.
In this session, we'll explore the inner strength, resilience, and hope that resides within us all, even during the most challenging times.
Settle into a peaceful, cosy space as we journey together through visualisations, affirmations, and reflections inspired by the timeless wisdom of Albert Camus.
This meditation will help you find a deep sense of tranquillity and empower you to face life's obstacles with renewed courage and confidence.
This meditation will be available on my podcast Serenity Streams Meditations next week. You can listen to any of my meditations there on any of the podcast apps such as Apple, Spotify, YouTube etc.
Literary Mindfulness
In our modern world, finding moments of peace and tranquillity can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. Yet, it’s in these small, mindful moments that we often discover the solace and clarity we desperately need. One of my favourite ways to find peace is through the pages of classic literature.
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