Some might envision “RESILIENCE” as being tough, powering through, or putting on a brave front. Actually, the opposite might be true. We may need to give ourselves a time-out to fully experience and accept our emotions, rest deeply, and transform the energy of stress in our system so it does not stay contracted and remain blocked, stuck, or stagnant.
Picture resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, tragedy, crisis, threats, or significant sources of stress — such as trauma, family and relationship troubles, serious health challenges, or workplace and financial stressors.
As much as resilience involves recovery after times of crisis, I choose resilience to be “bouncing forward” as opposed to “bouncing back.”
Instead of returning back to where we began before a crisis, we recover AND end up “growing” with new understanding, compassion, and self-awareness as in Post Traumatic Stress GROWTH!
Pause and consider how you might grow from your present circumstances. Focus on what’s positive in your life, what’s there to appreciate, and, maybe most importantly, how you can help.
“My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times.”
–Clarissa Pinkola Estes
