Resiliency

We all have our setback experiences – relationship, health, finances; name it, no one is excused.  The way we react to setbacks determines our character and our ability to become winners.  Resiliency is marked by the ability to bounce back from any setback.  Resiliency is marked by the attitude to consider setbacks as challenges and opportunities instead of problems and failures. Resilient people think differently and possess certain skills that allow them to persevere, manage stress and become an overcomer. Some of these skills may be innate but some can be learned.

Resilient people are confident; they are at peace with their humanity.  Their experiences and mistakes have humbled them; they’ve accepted their own vulnerability.  They admit their imperfection but don’t allow imperfections to hinder them.  Making mistakes is not “failure” but they learn from these mistakes and use the learning to create positive outcomes.

Resilient people are dynamic thinkers.  Like everyone of us, resilient people struggle with negative thoughts.  Their difference is that resilient people immediately realize that negative thoughts result to negative outcome.  Thus, resilient people immediately switch gears toward positive thoughts. Instead of jumping to conclusions and making assumptions, resilient people would gather the facts and find ways to move around issues and face the challenge head on. When things are not working, resilient people will make adjustments until they are satisfied with the result.  They are challenged to look for means that are within their control and they work on that control. We all have our innate talents and strengths. Resilient people use these strengths to overcome issues in their life. A resilient person diagnosed with cancer will not wallow in pity and defeat but will change his lifestyle, consult experts, change his eating habits, etc. to recover from his illness.  Resilient people are dynamic thinkers; they look for ways to fight any issues in life.

Resilient people are optimistic.  Without optimism, you can’t bounce back from setbacks; pessimism will chain you in darkness and defeat. Resilient people don’t give up.  They look for the rainbow in the storm.  Their attitude is that they will overcome, they will get through the issue and that the issue will soon pass.  Thus it is easier for a resilient person to bounce back from a divorce or get over the loss of a loved one.

Resilient people know that they can’t do it alone.  They reach out to friends and family to seek help.  They understand that it is not “weakness” to ask for help; they are not too proud to admit that they need help.  Vice-versa, resilient people reach out to help those in need. Resilient people understand that there is strength in unity; there is strength when you know that people are available to help you.