| The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity. Did you know there are 7 skills to be developed under this umbrella of resilience? Dr. Ginsburg, a pediatrician, developed this assessment for children – I believe this applies universally to all across the board. Let’s dig in – • Competence – to know how to handle a stressful situation, that means skills, communication, mostly: when to say something (or not!) • Connection – isn’t it so true that we feel a stronger sense of security and belonging when we’re in a place of community? It’s easier being resilient when you feel you belong. • Confidence – when you believe in your abilities and your competency, you notice particular strengths that stand out. That builds confidence! (holding tongue, etc.) • Character – a strong sense of right and wrong is a game-changer because boundaries are settled. Mind is made up – you know deep down that “life is always working on your behalf.” You trust the strength of your own character. • Contribution – the world is simply a better place because YOU are in it (for purpose and on purpose). What and how do you want to contribute? (an exciting question!) • Coping – we all need to hone these skills: stress reduction is the primary target via meditation, sleep, self-care, journaling, hearing your voice, owning yourself, using strong “can-do” words and thoughts. • Control – when we recognize that – YES, A) we can have control over our decisions. B) Actions – No, you don’t need to “vent” like an out-of-control 3-year-old; you need to take responsibility, own your actions, and do the best with what you’ve got, period. Resilience, according to developmental psychologist Emmy Werner, is constant calculation: • Which side of the equation weighs more? The resilience or the stressors? We all have a breaking point – we’re not made of steel. But those who choose resilience deploy these 7 Cs to create a set of skills that we can learn and lean into to become the queen of our lives – under control, living life on our own terms, and creating vibrancy wherever we go! Here’s to being resilient! |
