The word resilient (adjective) is defined as the ability to withstand shock without permanent damage. It is the ability to cope with stress, adversity and uncertainty. A person with a high level of resilience tends to recover or adjust easily to misfortune and change.
Being resilient is not a personality trait, it is a learned skill, a process and an attitude. It is a cognitive state on how we view the world and ourselves. We can build up our resilience to life events, much the same way we build up our immunity to illness. Maintaining a healthy physical and mental lifestyle is the foundation for developing greater levels of resilience. Building resilience is an individual, personal journey. The American Psychological Association has a great article with some helpful tips on learning how to build resilience. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx
"If you voluntarily quit in the face of adversity, you'll wonder about it the rest of your life." Former President Bill Clinton
"The bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to take the turn" Author Unknown
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Reflection
Reflection is a commonly used word that requires us to search deep within ourselves. Its origin is from England (1350 to 1400). It is a noun that means:
The act of reflection can be external, such as looking into a mirror; or internal, such as reflecting on past or present life events. Internal reflection can be healthy, if it is used to learn and grow and then move forward. It can also be unhealthy, if it is obsessive and we get stuck focused on something that we cannot control or change.
Many people spend a lot of time looking in the mirror with great concern about their physical appearance. In my opinion, the best time spent and the greatest treat we can give ourselves is at least an hour of quiet reflection time each day. It can help us to stay grounded so that we view the world and our lives in proper perspective and keep our priorities straight. Without this time, we often find ourselves at the mercy of endless "to do" lists that only provide minor satisfaction, if any, when complete. Quiet time for reflection can help us to walk through each day with a truer sense of purpose. I refer to this quiet time as "me time". It is a selfish indulgence that can become addictive, in a good way. The benefits outweigh the time away from daily obligations and duties and the results will be appreciated by your family, friends and co-workers. Try it.
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest" Confucius
"The way life treats you is a merciless mirror image of your attitude toward life" Unknown
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