The word is RESILIENCE
Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary - “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change”
and
“the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress”
My Story on Resilience
Life is hard.
Life isn’t fair.
Life takes us to dark places.
These are all true statements. They are statements that haunt and challenge us. But at the end of the day, we must accept the facts behind them and with the tool of resilience, allow ourselves to, in time, draw strength from them and move forward.
This past year has been a year of sadness and loss for so many. Whether it be the floods caused by hurricane Ian in Florida or the loss of a loved one from Covid or Cancer, resilience is the tool we reach for to recover from our losses.
I have cited two Merriam-Webster definitions in this week's blog. I find the first one - “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change” a cerebral definition. We can mindfully grasp and recover using rational thinking and by engaging the support of others. We intellectualize it.
The second describes a physical transformation and captures more of how I’m feeling today; “the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress” The loss of a loved one, for example, delivers an unimaginable weight of sorrow. Our bodies instinctively compress from the impact, taking on different sizes and shapes. We hug each other, we curl up, we shrink, and we instinctively go back to the fetal position of the womb to shut our bodies and our minds down. There is a sense of safety, maybe even comfort, in the warmth, quiet, and solitude there. That’s the vision this second definition holds for me.
But the womb is a temporary place of growth and sorrow and grief are places we need to come out of. Resilience allows us to gradually step out of the pain, unfurl our bodies and re-engage with the world stronger than we were before.
I recently read a quote written by Dr. Seuss.
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.
Resilience doesn’t erase the loss, no, those feelings run deep. But by following Dr. Seuss’s advice perhaps his option of letting it strengthen us enables us to absorb the hardships, the unfairness, and the darkness of life and come back stronger than we were before. Perhaps then we can share our strength with others who are also suffering.
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If you’re having trouble finding that strength, if resilience doesn’t come easy, it may be time to talk to a Life Coach. I hope you’ll reach out to me. Together we’ll discover resilience, strength, and peace.
Please email me to set up a free half-hour consultation: innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com. Thank you for reading my blog. I hope it has inspired you to take action and build on your strength.