The Power Of Resilience
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” – Elizabeth Edwards
Human beings are incredibly resilient. We bounce back from setbacks—both big and small. We make it through trauma, tragedy, loss, heartbreak, failure, change, stress, and illness. Although facing setbacks is inevitable, how we face these setbacks shapes our entire life. Some people seem to have it easier—and whether or not this is the case, it doesn’t hurt to think about what qualities these people that “bounce back” so easily may possess. Or what it is about them that helps them to get through the hard times less bruised or scarred. Walking through flames is going to hurt you, it is going to burn you. But it’s how you react…what you do next, that truly tests your character and makes you into the powerful human that you are. The truth is, all human beings can be resilient. And no matter what you are going through, take time to be grateful for both your mind and your heart – and take the time to acknowledge how truly strong you are. And although we experience pain and heartbreak, we must never forget how incredible it is that we often come out of these hard times even stronger than we were before.
True resilience is born through our regulation of our thoughts and feelings. If we make a mindful effort to feed our constructive thoughts, and neglect the negative thoughts, we can make it through almost anything. If we can prioritize the better, more constructive thoughts we have, we are more likely to make it through the flames unscathed. Optimism and positivity are key, because if we dwell too much on the hard times, the light at the end of the tunnel is dim, and the path is treacherous. If you can focus your energy on viewing setbacks as opportunities for personal growth, and failures as chances to restart and reboot your energy and soul, you can strengthen your mind and heart to face the hard times.
Resilience is not something that either possess or do not possess. It is not black and white. Quite bluntly, it is the opposite. Resilience works like a muscle – if you work hard and stay dedicated every day of your life, you will become stronger and stronger. Think about how hard your heart works every day – your heart beats a hundred thousand times a day…it never stops beating. Your strength comes from your heart and your mind, and the connection between the two is where your resilience and inner strength is born. With hard work, dedication, and the drive to never give up, you will learn to take on the world. You will conquer the world. When we get knocked down and feel that things will never get better, the tide will change. You will stand up. You will fight. And you will keep on keeping on.
This is true resilience…
And this is extraordinary.