I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about something that feels more important now than ever: resilience. It’s a word we hear a lot and upon return from a long family vacation, it will be the topic for my first group meditation after two weeks away. Like a lot of words that are tossed about, this one feels important but loses a little punch … so what does it really mean to be resilient?
For me, it’s not about being unshakeable, like some kind of superhero who never feels a thing. Goodness knows, life has shaken me to my core more than a few times. Instead, I think resilience is more like a well-worn piece of leather. It’s been stretched, maybe even scratched and scuffed a bit, but it still holds its shape, still does what it’s meant to do. It’s got a story etched into its very being.
Think about it. We all face our fair share of bumps and bruises, don’t we? Losing a loved one, a health scare, a job change – big or small, life throws its curveballs. And in those moments, it can feel like the world is conspiring against you. The easy thing to do is just crumple up, give in to the overwhelming feeling. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to do – feel those feelings, let them wash over us.
But then, after the initial shock or sadness or frustration, something shifts. A tiny flicker of light. Maybe it’s the sun shining through the window, or a kind word from a friend, or even just the simple act of making a cup of tea. And that flicker, that’s where resilience begins to mend. It’s not a sudden surge of strength, but a slow, steady gathering of yourself.
For me, cultivating resilience has a lot to do with remembering. Remembering all the other times I thought I couldn’t get through something, and then I did. Remembering the wisdom won from those experiences, even the painful ones. It’s also about finding the small joys, the simple pleasures that ground us. A good book, a quiet moment with a cup of coffee, the purr of a cat. These aren't distractions from our struggles; they're anchors. They remind us that there’s still beauty and goodness in the world, even when things feel tough.
It’s also about being kind to ourselves. We often expect ourselves to bounce back immediately, to be stoic and unwavering. But that’s a heavy burden to carry. True resilience, I believe, involves acknowledging our vulnerabilities, giving ourselves permission to not be okay sometimes, and then, gently, picking ourselves back up. It’s a continuous process, a lifelong practice.
So, if you’re feeling a little stretched thin these days, know that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and we’ll likely be there again. But take heart. You’ve got more strength within you than you might realize. And every time you mend, every time you find your way back to yourself, you add another beautiful, resilient stitch to the tapestry of your life. And that, my friend, is something truly remarkable.