RESILIENCE – How to "Spring" Back

Natural resilience skills are something humans are born with; an enthusiasm for life and a tendency to try new things. Adaptive resilience comes from the ability to recover from difficult circumstances. It implies a sense of personal choice; purposefully navigating rather than being driven by changing circumstances. I liken it to holding onto your own steering wheel; even when the driving gets tough. Resilience lets you discover how you can bounce forward, finding new insights and perhaps changing your course. It is an opening that is strengthened by curiosity, and deeply supported by optimism. It increases mental and emotional flexibility.

All humans fluctuate between times when life falls apart and then comes back together. Both during challenging times and times of ease, it is worth remembering that even when we are in the driver seat, we don't need to go it alone. We can come into community and be inspired and lifted up by others. We can find pliability by having heart in troubled times, showing up, bringing strength and resilience to inspire and lift others. We know that what goes around comes around.

Most of us already have resiliency practices. We've learned ways to help us take whatever happens – whatever hardships or struggles we face, and continue our journey toward the betterment of ourselves and our world. Resilience has to do with finding everyday endeavors that help bring balance to our lives and the lives of those we touch. It's being able to hold the truth that although we can't eradicate human suffering, we know that what we can do matters.

So what are some of the resilient practices that you already know? What can help to make you better able to journey forward with care, compassion and wisdom? If you were to name just a few that are at the top of your list right now, what would they be? What are the one or two that are saving you? It is a precarious world! How are you ensuring that your well is being regularly refilled? What is already working for you? Which ones are already helping you have heart and hope?

Here's what comes to mind when I think about these questions in terms of my life.

• Loving & healthy human relationships
• Supporting the well-being of humans and the planet earth
• A good night's sleep (7-8 hours)
• Yoga & Meditation
• Self-compassion
• Physical exercise, preferably outdoors
• Healthy Meals
• Quality time with people who enhance our lives
• Laughter
• Limiting news and social media time
• Continuing to learn new things
• Creative expression and appreciation of all the arts
• Being in Nature
• Caring for those who need help
• Practicing gratitude

"Resilience is a chance to begin again. It is the persistence to answer YES to life ... just as long as we have breath. It is the persistence to keep on loving though disappointment pierces us through. Letting go, again and again of our thoughts. Letting go of what we thought was immutable, and learning that reality is bigger, always bigger than our limited minds can grasp."
Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal

Namaste,
Chris