Resiliency! Make It Your Word Of The Day!

Resiliency! It’s a word I’ve never thought too much about, but in the last 2 years, it’s been on the forefront of my thoughts. What does it mean to be resilient? Can we even define it in today’s world with a pandemic raging all around us, and our lives feeling like they are in constant turmoil? I really think that being resilient as defined with the world today, means you are a survivor and you are kind and caring and above all else you shine, even when the world around you is dark. 

If you look in the dictionary, resilience means you have the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. What it doesn’t mean is you won’t experience stress, emotional upheaval or suffering. It allows you to tap into your strengths and support systems to overcome the challenges and work through problems. 

My support system is what saw me through these past two years. I have a wonderful husband who has stood by me every step of the way, offering his support and love. I have 2 great adopted family members in Amsterdam who have touched my heart and soul in such a positive way that I can never see our life without them in it. It might be one of their wonderful cooking video’s, or something as simple as a small clip of their fur babies and the antics they do. It might be a movie review or a gaming review. Mike and Hous, like Tim, have always been there when I reach out my hand to offer any kind of help that they can. 

You see, I lost my mom just as COVID was hitting hard here in the US. While navigating my grief, my department ended up sending 97% of the staff home, so I was back in the office the day after her funeral to get all of the equipment ready and everyone up to speed on how to work remotely. Not an easy task. I was one of the lucky ones at that time to be allowed to work from home myself. The second week after her passing, I was home to work, the house was very quiet and my grief set in. It was horrible to say the least. You know that phrase, the silence is deafening, it’s really true. Tears flowed as I tried to come to grips with being an orphan. It hadn’t been that long ago, that my dad, who was my world, had passed. 

Soon after all of this my siblings decided they no longer wanted anything to do with me. While it's been that way all of my life, it hit home really hard now that mom and dad were gone. There will be no more family gatherings that include us, no more holiday cards or greetings, nothing. It's OK, though because this is where that word resilience comes into play. If I have learned one thing in this knock down world, it's to be resilient! 

I don't have any solid answers on how to make this word a part of your own life. I just know that no matter how things are going, how sad I may get or how hurt someone can make me feel, it's my choice to get back up off the ground and move forward and not to let ANYONE steal my joy! 

Find those people that will help you to build your sparkle and shine. I know I have!