BECOMING RESILIENT

“I thought that would be my end, but I'm much better now,” said probably the 100th counselee I had the privilege to work with. Their stories often begin with pain, and when I wonder how yet another person can survive so much—or if it could get any worse—they tell me, “I'm much better now.”

- Jemima S. Jacob

I've encountered some of the strongest individuals during the toughest times in their lives. The common factor among those who navigate the waves of distress and emerge rather than being sub-merged is their resilience. Their faces never reveal the many challenges they have experienced that could have ended their life stories prematurely.

No one is immune to life's challenges, but some people have developed a better ability to adapt and overcome them. Resilience is the capacity to recover or bounce back from adversity. Resilient individuals tend to utilize their psychological resources effectively. How does one develop a toolbox of strengths that may come in handy in tough times?

Close the Chapter, and Feel the Book