Purposeful Growth

Life deals some tough situations to each of us. No one is immune from the challenges and problems of everyday life, let alone the added stresses of economic downturns, employment losses, and rising costs of living. How you can deal with life’s problems will largely determine whether you view your life as happy and successful. Resilience is the key characteristic that separates success from failure.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after a setback. The Mayo Clinic describes resiliency as “the ability to adapt well to stress, adversity, trauma or tragedy.” How does one develop this ability to bounce back? Some are naturally more resilient than others, possibly as a result of growing up in a supportive, positive, encouraging environment. Resiliency can be learned and developed.

Becoming More Resilient

Daily affirmations affirming your resilience will help you to develop a resilient attitude. Some suggestions follow:

• I am a resilient person, easily bouncing back from setbacks.

• When faced with adversity I recall that this too shall pass.

• What doesn’t kill me will make me stronger.

• I am a competent person able to handle adversity and challenging situations.

• My goals are clear, providing a vision that I focus on when I have suffered a setback.

• When faced with adversity I ask myself if this is life and death. If not, I do my best to work through it and get on with my life.

• I have handled many, many negative events in my life, and I can handle this one too.

• Nothing keeps me down for long.

Mayo Clinic Advice

The Mayo Clinic’s hints for dealing with stress are also effective in building resilience. They suggest:

• Build positive and supportive relationships.

• Look for the humor in stressful situations.

• Recall how you’ve coped with past adversities.

• Be hopeful and optimistic.

• Take care of yourself physically and emotionally.

• Look for the opportunities in every situation.

• Do something every day to advance your goals.

• Learn your strengths and special skills, nurturing self confidence.

Wisdom of the Ages

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. ~Japanese Proverb

Balanced Life In Ten Weeks

Everything we humans do, we do in search of happiness. Trace back every action you take, every project you launch, every reaction to a fear and you’ll find the root cause of your action is for greater happiness.

There’s nothing wrong with that, that’s why we’re here. It’s not selfish and not self-serving in any negative way. When we’re happy we’re able to give more generously to others, and that makes us even happier, and then we can give more, and on, and on.

Happiness doesn’t just happen, it comes to us as a result (like everything else that comes to us) of how we think, what we say, the actions we take, and the way we feel. The world’s greatest philosophers have understood this about happiness for centuries. Now some great scientific minds are explaining the secrets of happiness and how we can become happier and sustain our happiness.

A series of articles on my Suite101 pages go into much more detail. For example, How to Fight Depression, Cheer Up, and Find Happiness describes the three components of happiness. The real secret of happiness is that human actions can result in greater sustained happiness, but only if the actions are the right type.  Learn the secrets of happiness >>>

Add Finding Happiness to a Personal Growth Plan describes two proven strategies for becoming happier and includes five specific activities for greater happiness>>>

What is the Secret of Happiness? describes two more effective strategies for greater happiness>>>

What you choose to do has a big impact on personal happiness. Learn some happiness-generating activities you can use in Finding Happiness with Intentional Activities.

You might be surprised to learn that working on goals and forgiving the transgressions of yourself and others will lead to greater happiness. Read how in Happiness, Forgiveness, and Effective Goals.

Balanced Life In Ten Weeks