Strength is the 8th card in the Major Arcana.  It symbolizes inner strength and fortitude; the ability to see things through no matter how difficult it becomes.  It also represents the triumph of inner spirit and will over our more aggressive, instinctive impulses; out soul over our more animal nature if you will.  

"Negative:  You are experiencing a compulsive behavior or feeling that is not necessary.  You may be responding to a situation in a particular, defensive manner because that's how you needed to respond in the past in order to survive.  The current situation probably doesn't merit that intense, compulsive response.  Your compulsions are habit patterns or addictions that are no longer beneficial to you.
Reversed:  You are experiencing intense inner drives that compel you to act in a particular way.  You are behaving in a way that seems illogical but is actually in tune with your own biological or emotional needs.  You may be struggling for emotional survival in a situation that seems abusive or threatening to you.

Looking at the image on the Animal Tarot, a small bird perched inside a crocodile's open mouth, I have to admit I identify with the bird right now.  I feel as though everything is going to come crashing in at any moment now.  I'm tired of being strong.  I'm tired of holding back and trying to be gentle and go with the flow.  I want to rage, thrash, destroy.  I want to have a full-fledged tantrum of epic proportions while I scream and shout "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!!!"

Between the weather, family situation and the economy I feel like life is just not letting up.  Then I hear politicians tell me that we're all in it together and  we have to be innovating and creative to make it through this crisis.  It seems to me that big corporations were being creative and innovative when they got us into this mess.  And politicians trying to convince me that they're hurting too just makes me suspicious and cynical.

I have no doubt I'll survive this.  I've survived worse.  It might not be pleasant or easy and it might take longer than I'd like but I'll make it through. The big question is who will I be at the other end?  Will I be able to triumph over this adversity or will I become bitter and negative?  Right now I'm honestly not sure.  The bitterness and negativity is really coursing its way through my system right now.  But that might also be temporary.  Tomorrow I might feel very differently.  Right now I just with the damn crocodile would snap its jaws shut and put me out of my misery.

As adorably cute as the white Gummi Bear is as it plays with the lion, right now I have no playfulness in me.  I hope it will return and that I will be able to feel the whimsy and fun inherent in the Gummi Bear image.  In fact I'm sure it will eventually.  But right now it is buried beneath a deep, dark layer of darkness.