Resiliency. It’s a word we hear more and more, nowadays.
But what does it mean?
How does it relate to you?
How do you know you have it?
Do you even want it?
What does it do?
Why would you want it?
How do you get it?
So many questions. I will set your expectations for this post right now. I won’t be able to give you all of these answers. Just an honest expectation for you. BUT, I will try to give you more info and show you what I can. How’s that? Ok?
Well you don’t know much of a choice since I’m writing this. Ha, ha. Not exactly fair but I will do my best.
Definition of resiliency: “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change.”
Well that seems straightforward enough. Here are a couple more definitions which are very similar.
“the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.”
“the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.”
How do we build resiliency in ourselves? I think that is something that isn’t easily answered since it will look different to different people, going through different things at different times.
But in general there are some overall concepts that are applicable to most people and most situations.
There are 10 key things you can to develop your resilience:
- Learn to relax.
- Practice thought awareness.
- Edit your outlook.
- Learn from your mistakes and failures.
- Choose your response.
- Maintain perspective.
- Set yourself some goals.
- Build your self-confidence.
Some of these might seem like no-brainers but honestly, these simple things can work. They are simple, but make no mistake they may not be easy. Maybe you have mastered one or a few of these things, but there are more on the list you intend to work on.
I think we probably all know people we would say we think are “resilient.” But what else would you say to describe that person? How are they resilient? Why would you use that word?
I imagine some people can be just appear to be like a duck floating on the water. The top half looks calm, cool and collected and the bottom half under the water, are legs flapping around like crazy to keep things going in the right direction and under control.
Since I am no expert, I don’t have it all figured out. But I think resiliency is something for us to deeply consider and pursue. What does that mean for you? I think that is one thing you will have to work through on your own.
Friend if I could just pass over a handful of resilience to you I would, but you and I know that things don’t work that way.
As you tackle the difficulties that you cross on the road of life, you will learn just how resilient you are. Or those opportunities will be when you learn to build your resilience.
It can be hard be have a clear perspective on yourself and how you are doing, especially in times of hardship. But even in moments of self doubt you may be an example of strength and resilience for someone else.
It does not make sense that you only have to wait until you are in the middle of difficulty to work on your resilience. Difficult times will test your resilience but only thinking of or working on resilience in the midst of hard times doesn’t really seem that logical or highly effective.
Here is a little quiz if you are interested, Resiliency Well Being Quiz, just click here!
So friend, even if you think the word resilient is over-used and misunderstood, I hope you can see that resiliency, even if it’s that word by another term, is important.
Friend, I am praying for you as you walk through the difficulties of life, that you have faith, resilience and hope to get through it all. Hold on.
Comment below if you have any thoughts about resiliency or anything else. Or shoot me a personal message through the contact form on the site. I would love it if you like this enough to share it with others. Please SUBSCRIBE in the box above, it helps you know more of what’s going on and get special access.
Melodee Glassford 