I believe that the older we get the more realize that we can't avoid suffering of some sort.
The suffering of this life is in escapable.
At some points in our life we can actually feel like now we've hit rock bottom or that we can't take any more of whatever is happening in our lives, but then, for what ever reason, we find gratitude.
It's almost like the tide changes and our resilience kicks in.
Resilience is the light inside us which drives us. It's the Source of life that part of us t...
I believe that the older we get the more realize that we can’t avoid suffering of some sort.
The suffering of this life is in escapable.
At some points in our life we can actually feel like now we’ve hit rock bottom or that we can’t take any more of whatever is happening in our lives, but then, for what ever reason, we find gratitude.
It’s almost like the tide changes and our resilience kicks in.
Resilience is the light inside us which drives us. It’s the Source of life that part of us that knows there’s more than this.
When things are challenging, I fall back on my resilience and trust that the tide is changing.
Having an attitude of gratitude makes everything right.
I am learning to know and appreciate my resilience in a deeper and more full-bodied way than ever. I hope and pray that the hard won lessens and practices of resilience stay with me through this turn of the spiral. In the meantime, the call to resilience is loud, clear and visceral. Must read Anne Lamott and others to shed lightness on the journey! Thanks all for the question and thoughtful reflections ????????????…
Being in the midst of difficult situations such as great loss can seem overwhelming. Bringing awareness to the emotional experience, allowing myself to feel that, and acknowledging how difficult life can be seems to increase my resilience for when the next challenge comes.
I suppose that this is really one of those questions where you look back from a hill you've just climbed, or are climbing, at all the hills you've already made it over successfully. We often do not see our resilience or our positive attributes that get us through tough times until we look back to see how far we've come. Then we are treated to a new view of ourselves, one that may be a little bit rosier than we are feeling on our current hill. Like Kevin said, it is part of life to have difficult...
I suppose that this is really one of those questions where you look back from a hill you’ve just climbed, or are climbing, at all the hills you’ve already made it over successfully. We often do not see our resilience or our positive attributes that get us through tough times until we look back to see how far we’ve come. Then we are treated to a new view of ourselves, one that may be a little bit rosier than we are feeling on our current hill. Like Kevin said, it is part of life to have difficulties. Seeing them in a fuller picture is often a blessing we forget to enjoy!
Aine, i believe we forget to enjoy this blessing because often we don’t see the fuller picture. Why? Because we can’t, we are not used to that, or because in the deepest part of our being, we don’t want that? speaking of my own experience, often the third reason is the true one, yet I think that a good practice can help a lot (like for exemple visiting this site).
Yes, Anna, it is weird, isn’t it, how we can so often forget to be grateful for ourselves. With all our great bits, mediocre bits, and even the bits we’d rather hush up, we’re really rather amazing!
I look back and realize that I made many difficulties much larger and more horrible than they truly were. I see how easily I can sink into panic mode, and how guilt is often my default - even when it is totally misplaced. Situations in which I felt helpless to find a solution - like a noisy, inconsiderate neighbor who had no intention of changing his behavior - were tough. They forced me out of my comfort zone and forced change. Anne Lemott says pain is the great motivator for change - and ...
I look back and realize that I made many difficulties much larger and more horrible than they truly were. I see how easily I can sink into panic mode, and how guilt is often my default – even when it is totally misplaced. Situations in which I felt helpless to find a solution – like a noisy, inconsiderate neighbor who had no intention of changing his behavior – were tough. They forced me out of my comfort zone and forced change. Anne Lemott says pain is the great motivator for change – and I believe she is right.
Oh, and amen on the panic and guilt mode rearing their ugly heads. Me, too. Right now, we are in a time of stress and transition, and all that needs to be done to move to the next step is overwhelming. I wind up feeling guilty over what I cannot do and frustrated that it is not more. That, too, is misplaced, as I am the only one thinking ill of me. I think that right there is how a lot of things get “larger and more horrible than they truly were.” Thanks for the insight!
Like Kevin, I believe difficulties are a natural part of life. The fact that I have survived them and still have most of my wits about me are proof of my resilience. I continue to see beauty, humor, and compassion around me.
each difficult situation has forced me to find ways through it. they have taught me that faith, love and being tough, smart, unselfish are characteristics I possess.
There have been a lot of bad years. Through it all there was a voice deep inside that said “There’s gotta be something better than this.” And there was & is!!
I see difficulties in life as a part of life itself. They happen. And we either find a way to meet these challenges and deal with them as best we can, or, we succumb to them. And while I don’t think that I am any more resilient than the next person, at sixty-seven years of age, I am still here and still relish being in the game. That’s all I need to know.
– Kevin
I believe that the older we get the more realize that we can't avoid suffering of some sort.
The suffering of this life is in escapable.
At some points in our life we can actually feel like now we've hit rock bottom or that we can't take any more of whatever is happening in our lives, but then, for what ever reason, we find gratitude.
It's almost like the tide changes and our resilience kicks in.
Resilience is the light inside us which drives us. It's the Source of life that part of us t...
I believe that the older we get the more realize that we can’t avoid suffering of some sort.
The suffering of this life is in escapable.
At some points in our life we can actually feel like now we’ve hit rock bottom or that we can’t take any more of whatever is happening in our lives, but then, for what ever reason, we find gratitude.
It’s almost like the tide changes and our resilience kicks in.
Resilience is the light inside us which drives us. It’s the Source of life that part of us that knows there’s more than this.
When things are challenging, I fall back on my resilience and trust that the tide is changing.
Having an attitude of gratitude makes everything right.
I am learning to know and appreciate my resilience in a deeper and more full-bodied way than ever. I hope and pray that the hard won lessens and practices of resilience stay with me through this turn of the spiral. In the meantime, the call to resilience is loud, clear and visceral. Must read Anne Lamott and others to shed lightness on the journey! Thanks all for the question and thoughtful reflections ????????????…
Woundedness has brought me to a greater sense of connection with others and helped me be more grateful.
John,
I feel the exact same way! Thanks for sharing this.
????
Being in the midst of difficult situations such as great loss can seem overwhelming. Bringing awareness to the emotional experience, allowing myself to feel that, and acknowledging how difficult life can be seems to increase my resilience for when the next challenge comes.
They aren’t halfway done with me yet no comment lol.
I think I will be harder than a stone in mind and body when the light starts filling in the wound.
”The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” – Rumi
Doesn’t mean wounds grant you understanding immediately though.’
I suppose that this is really one of those questions where you look back from a hill you've just climbed, or are climbing, at all the hills you've already made it over successfully. We often do not see our resilience or our positive attributes that get us through tough times until we look back to see how far we've come. Then we are treated to a new view of ourselves, one that may be a little bit rosier than we are feeling on our current hill. Like Kevin said, it is part of life to have difficult...
I suppose that this is really one of those questions where you look back from a hill you’ve just climbed, or are climbing, at all the hills you’ve already made it over successfully. We often do not see our resilience or our positive attributes that get us through tough times until we look back to see how far we’ve come. Then we are treated to a new view of ourselves, one that may be a little bit rosier than we are feeling on our current hill. Like Kevin said, it is part of life to have difficulties. Seeing them in a fuller picture is often a blessing we forget to enjoy!
Aine, i believe we forget to enjoy this blessing because often we don’t see the fuller picture. Why? Because we can’t, we are not used to that, or because in the deepest part of our being, we don’t want that? speaking of my own experience, often the third reason is the true one, yet I think that a good practice can help a lot (like for exemple visiting this site).
Yes, Anna, it is weird, isn’t it, how we can so often forget to be grateful for ourselves. With all our great bits, mediocre bits, and even the bits we’d rather hush up, we’re really rather amazing!
I look back and realize that I made many difficulties much larger and more horrible than they truly were. I see how easily I can sink into panic mode, and how guilt is often my default - even when it is totally misplaced. Situations in which I felt helpless to find a solution - like a noisy, inconsiderate neighbor who had no intention of changing his behavior - were tough. They forced me out of my comfort zone and forced change. Anne Lemott says pain is the great motivator for change - and ...
I look back and realize that I made many difficulties much larger and more horrible than they truly were. I see how easily I can sink into panic mode, and how guilt is often my default – even when it is totally misplaced. Situations in which I felt helpless to find a solution – like a noisy, inconsiderate neighbor who had no intention of changing his behavior – were tough. They forced me out of my comfort zone and forced change. Anne Lemott says pain is the great motivator for change – and I believe she is right.
Oh, and amen on the panic and guilt mode rearing their ugly heads. Me, too. Right now, we are in a time of stress and transition, and all that needs to be done to move to the next step is overwhelming. I wind up feeling guilty over what I cannot do and frustrated that it is not more. That, too, is misplaced, as I am the only one thinking ill of me. I think that right there is how a lot of things get “larger and more horrible than they truly were.” Thanks for the insight!
Love Anne Lamott!
She can be such a delight! I’ve read and re-read her books.
Like Kevin, I believe difficulties are a natural part of life. The fact that I have survived them and still have most of my wits about me are proof of my resilience. I continue to see beauty, humor, and compassion around me.
each difficult situation has forced me to find ways through it. they have taught me that faith, love and being tough, smart, unselfish are characteristics I possess.
There have been a lot of bad years. Through it all there was a voice deep inside that said “There’s gotta be something better than this.” And there was & is!!
Hallelujah, my friend!
Thanks, Kev!!
I see difficulties in life as a part of life itself. They happen. And we either find a way to meet these challenges and deal with them as best we can, or, we succumb to them. And while I don’t think that I am any more resilient than the next person, at sixty-seven years of age, I am still here and still relish being in the game. That’s all I need to know.
– Kevin
Kevin,
LOVE IT!
My aunt would say,” I am still in the game” she lived to 93 and was happy to live her life to the fullest….true inspiration!
My Private Gratitude Journal
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
Get Started