If you've ever gotten over a terrible bout of the flu (and who hasn't?), you know what it means to be resilient. Our bodies have a natural healing power coded in our immune system to return us to a state of equilibrium or homeostasis. Even when we feel at our worst, our bodies are working to heal us.
It is this same resilience that carries us through difficult, emotionally stressful times. Whether it's grief over the loss of a loved one, anger and frustration with a situation we can't change, or generalized anxiety and worry about the unknown, our bodies suffer the consequences.
When faced with these challenges, sometimes we forget we have a choice in the matter: overcome the obstacle or let it overcome you. Hope over Fear! Courage over Cynicism! They sound like campaign slogans, but they really do rally us to resilience, even during the most difficult times. Which do you choose?
Resilience restores our natural radiance, our inner light that we shine on the world. In some ways, resilience can also be an act of resistance. To give up and give in reinforces the status quo; confronting injustice with authenticity and integrity reverberates strength and personal power. It is "advancing despite adversity." Often, it's these painful struggles that teach us important life lessons and facilitate our growth.
As we strive to regain our sense of strength and equilibrium, we must remember that we're never alone in this process. We not only have our inner resources, but also our friends, family, animal companions, Nature, spiritual guides, and creative endeavors to help rebuild ourselves.
Develop a sense of connection with these external sources that offer guidance. Find your place of inner peace to rest and restore. Before you know it, you will begin to feel the flow of positive energy return to carry you over the next hurdle.