Throughout my life I have often wondered, what makes people resilient?
Resilience is the quality that allows for warmth and stability to emerge among chaos and debris, for softness to prevail in the face of deep and unrelenting pain.
In my experience, resilience is the beautiful and ever-so comforting by-product of adversity.
When I think of myself holistically, from child to adult, I can clearly see the events that led to me ultimately becoming a strong and stable advocate for myself. A pillar, for which I can rely upon, during the ever-changing tides of life. I have learned that happiness is sporadic, it comes and it goes, like winter to spring.
And sometimes, the true gold, the gold that leads to 'resilience' and ultimate contentment, only comes when one realises that happiness is neither a destination nor a goal, but a peaceful pitstop in the flux of life.
Resilience comes from enduring and withstanding that which seems unbearable at first thought. Resilience is the recognition that strength comes in many surprising forms. When you are resilient, you realise that you are in control of your responses to all that occurs in your life and as such, you stand tall when the seas get rough.
To me, resilience is a choice. A warm and nurturing choice.
Feel free to share your personal story about resilience here.
Love this Shan and really resonate with it - finding that calm centre within the ups and downs of life. Getting really present to the moment as it is. After my recent traumatic experience I've been glad to find my resilience come through - in reaching out for support, and in using the skills and tools I've learnt over the years to support myself. In getting back up.
I do wonder if sometimes you need to let yourself fall apart a bit- maybe even breakdown- but I think that can build resilience too. You go into the depths and find where your roots are. I think resilience is feeling all you need to feel but then making a choice about what you will do with it. It's deciding that life is still worth it and so you keep choosing it. Even when the choice is hard. It's so reassuring to know that you've got your back and that no matter what you will be there for yourself. That is the best security you can have I think!
Beautiful Jess, I am so sorry for my late response! Time has been escaping me lately.
Thank you so very much for sharing your insights here, I this call to presence you are experiencing. What an empowering feeling, to go to the deepest of physical pains and come out other end, knowing how truly strong and resilient you are.
I agree that we do sometimes need to let ourselves fall apart, it allows us to see what really needs to change and yes, in my experience it totally builds resilience. I often feel that those experience go into our toolbox for the next time something challenging arises and we have the knowledge to be even just that little bit better at handling it that the first time.
It really is reassuring, we can be our own worst enemies or our own biggest supporters. I was having a little sook the other day because I was overwhelmed with the idea of having to promote my music on Instagram, and while I was crying, I said to myself out loud 'Come on darling, you know what to do' haha.
And I made a commitment to change in that moment and it has really helped me to change my strategy so it suits me and my sensitive needs.
I love you.
Thanks for sharing x