The dictionary definition of resilience is “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.”
In other words, resilience is getting kicked in the face and getting back up.
Divorce is one of those life events that will roundhouse kick you to the ground. It’s not for the faint of heart. Having resilience in this circumstance is crucial because it will give you the strength you need to recover and get back on your feet.
The alternative is feeling victimized, growing bitter, and getting dirt on your pants.
Like you can’t have a strong body without strength-building exercises, you can’t develop resiliency without working the muscle. However, the challenge with resiliency-building exercises is that they are often unexpected, highly traumatic, and very painful.
Think about a difficult time you’ve gone through in your life. Think about how you felt in the midst of it. You probably thought that the pain you were in would last forever – until it didn’t. As hard as those on-the-floor struggling moments were in your life, they helped form you. They made you stronger. They were the catalyst to developing resilience.
Do this exercise: Think of one painful event (or many) and complete this sentence: “Thank you _______ (hard thing) for teaching me ______________ (life lesson).” I know this can be a challenge, especially if the wound is fresh. But it could be the thing you need that changes your perspective, sets you free, and helps you become a resilient warrior.
Life is tough, but you are tougher. It’s time to Rise Up and Be RISEilient.
I believe in you.
Lori
