I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou
Simone Biles and Sha’cari Richardson are household names now and everyone talks about them with amazement.
“Life is very interesting…in the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore
One of my favourite definitions of the word resilience is, “the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape” as given by the Oxford Dictionary. The image of a spring best fits this description because of its elasticity as one of its qualities -the ability to get back to its original shape, with minimal loss after being stretched out or put under (immense) pressure.
“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” – Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper
Each of us, I believe, can name one or two people who have exhibited or continue to exhibit resilience. There is so much power in being resilient. Some people use setbacks as a launchpad to go even further in their life and career goals which was originally the intention.
How can one test his/her level of resilience unless s/he experiences a setback?
“We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward.” – Isabel Allende
Most people know about former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years and yet, came out a stronger contender than before. He must have suffered different things while in prison. He remained a vision- carrier and did not allow his experience to make him settle for a miserable life of self-pity.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
Not many have experienced up to a quarter of what Nelson Mandela went through as a leader, and yet, we all have stories of how we may have failed at some things, made pardonable and unpardonable mistakes, or have been filled with bitterness and anxiety, to name a few. Some of us may have been labeled with all kinds of labels or gone through deadly ailments, we thought we would never survive.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
Imagine yourself as a spring. How elastic are you? What are the attitudes to adopt so you may become more resilient…tougher in the face of dire opposition and ready to bounce back, no matter how long it takes? Different seasons require different strategies!
Some Strategies to Adopt
- Have the big picture in mind/ keep your goals and dreams in view
- Get yourself a coach to help you through the season
– Be open to learning, unlearning and relearning
– Allow time to retreat, heal and recalibrate
– Have a positive attitude to setbacks - Affirm yourself daily
- Do not give up
Tough circumstances have the potential to make or break you. No one likes to be broken beyond redemption, so why not make these same circumstances work for you?
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” – Peter Marshal
Freda Abah-Dakou