Building Resilience | 10
Building Resilience | 10
Gratitude is the Secret Sauce of Resilience
This poor guy lost his barn. It burned to the ground. I’m willing to bet he lost more than just the structure. I imagine he lost farming equipment or animals or both. That sounds like his livelihood and that’s a lot to lose. And yet, he’s found something for which he’s grateful.
Now he can see the moon.
Let that sink in.
The folks at Better Help talk about the impact that perception of adversity has on reactions to it, saying, “Some people view adversity and obstacles as indicators that they can’t make it in life or that life is stacked against them; on the other hand, certain individuals perceive adversity as an opportunity to grow, become stronger, and rise to higher heights.”
And still, others, while growing, becoming stronger, and rising to higher heights, find something to be grateful for in the midst of the difficulty that’s befallen them. Gratitude makes the unbearable less so. It gives us a place of peace from which to regroup. In short:
Gratitude is the secret sauce of resilience.
Speaking of gratitude
I don’t think I’ve told you lately how happy and grateful I am to have you with me on this journey to increased resilience, but I am. Thank you!
Through this newsletter and my book, BOUNCE: A Memoir of Resilience, I’m hoping to increase awareness of the benefits of improving resilience. Because there are several biggies!
When we build resilience,
we suffer fewer negative emotions during and after a stressful event
we feel that, overall, our quality of life is better and we’re happier
we feel more in control and more confident that, whatever the outcome, we’ll be ok
Those are all pretty great reasons to build resilience, right? Right! So, let’s get on with it.
Your assignment for the week
Your assignment for the week is more of a suggestion. An “if you want to,” if you will. We’re all busy. Kids. Work. Some of us might actually be in school, so who needs more assignments? Not one of us.
Over the next few days, when you have a moment, I want you to think back to a time in your life that was particularly challenging. Bring to mind as many of the difficult details as you are comfortable with, and then think about how you got through. I’m talking specifics.
If you’re like me, your first response will be to say, “I have no idea how I got through it. I just did.”
Nope. Not good enough. Rifle through your memories and recall things like…
the day you finally asked for help and were able to take a nap
the night you raced in from the hospital, started dinner, discovered your kids eating cake, and, instead of freaking out, got yourself a fork and joined them (healthy eating is so overrated! )
the first morning you felt strong enough to wear real clothes (and not pajamas) to drive the kids to school
Recalling times of resilience builds resilience. It reminds us that, if we did it once, we can do it again.
See you next time!
Check out these Bounce Boosts when you have a moment and thanks for sharing Building Resilience with those you think would enjoy it.
And this one, which is my favorite
Meet the “Gratitude Dude.” I think you’ll love him like I do!