The power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
Or
The ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy (Dictionary.com)
On a daily basis, life has a way of throwing adversity at us. But what is it that allows one person to bounce back from pain, hurt, disaster, defeat or a crisis, whilst another person will sink deep into a bottomless pit with no way out? In other words, what is Resilience?
For instance, different people can suffer the same severe trauma, such as bereavement, rape and accidents that cause disabilities, to name but a few. Yet some are able to pick themselves up and slowly but surely change their situation into a better one, whilst another person sinks deeper into despair, sometimes resulting in them turning to the abuse of drugs/alcohol, rejecting family and friends, and even taking their own life.
Resilience is the difference between these two groups. So what makes one person more resilient than another?
There are things which boost our resilience and things that undermine it, a bit like our immune system when we are attacked by an illness. These can be things either inside or outside of us.
Inside could be confidence, optimism, a value system that is based on things which cannot be taken away etc. Outside could be having a supportive family or network of friends, hobbies and interests, being rich culturally (Ie: an interest in music, art, cooking, fashion, writing etc.)
On the other hand, there are things which destroy resilience, for example self-pity, untrustworthy family members, manipulative friends, excessive pessimism and much more.
When we are placed under pressure the first thing we need to do is identify the resources inside and outside of ourselves which can boost our resilience and recognise the dangerous influences we need to avoid. In a make-or-break situation, identifying the sources of resilience can make all the difference. So I ask you:
What strengthens of weakens your resilience?
Does having resilience depend on whether you have a victim or survivor mentality?
Do any of you have stories that you can share about bouncing back after a crisis or examples of things which almost destroyed your resilience?
I love to hear your comments, views and/or opinions.
