In spite of all our knowledge and training we may find ourselves being tested by life to a point where we think it’s unmanageable. But that’s the law of life. The more we grow, the more we are tested to help us grow more.
We need resilience to stay in the game and keep moving ahead. Those stronger than us will sometimes get arrogant and aggressive to overpower us in vulnerable times. We may feel pressured from various sides simultaneously. We may feel we are reaching the brink of our capacity. But we can’t give up and cave in. We need to be Resilient.
Our resilience is built by Connecting.
Connecting with difficult and adversarial people. Appealing to their good sense and allowing them to get to know us as people. Shifting from being adversarial to first building a connect as two good people.
Connecting with our intellect. Being practical and finding creative and innovative ways of overcoming our challenges. Tapping into our resources and networks to stand by us.
Connecting with our feelings and emotions we are experiencing. To be aware and be able to watch what is disturbing our inner world when we need to give our best. Just as a good boatman doesn’t fight the storm but anchors the vessel till the storm passes, similarly we need to allow the inner storm to subside and keep moving on. But being always mindful that no matter how strong the storm, the anchor is always stronger.
Connecting within. To ensure we don’t allow dissipation of our vital energies when we need it the most. Even if we aren’t spiritually inclined, just sitting a few minutes everyday in Quiet Time , allowing thoughts and ideas to emerge is a powerful practical practice.
Things will sometimes go wrong and the road ahead may seem uphill. We may very much want to smile but are finding it difficult. Our real concerns may consume our mind space.
It’s our resilience that will keep us going and always remind us of the two powerful words – “Don’t Quit”.
Fabulously put ! The boatman, the storm & the boat’s anchor -totally agree ! As someone has explained-
If you adapt and persist, you are being resilient. If you don’t adapt and continue persisting, you are just stubborn.
very inspirational !
Wah Dr. Anand and great thoughts Vivek….. when the going gets tough…. Tough get going
Arrogance and aggressiveness are not the traits of strong people. They are displayed by people who doubt their own strength and are fearful of being overpowered by those who are stronger than them. In my experience, the stronger you are, the kinder you are, because you have weathered many a storm to gain that strength, and you know what it takes to stay the course… Much like the boatman you described, who I am sure would rush to rescue someone else in troubled waters and save him from drowning. Strength gives us humility and compassion, while it is the lust for power and need for control that makes us arrogant and aggressive.
Beautiful, “Ruk Jana Nahin, Tu Kahin Haar Ke. Oh rahi. Oh rahi. Oh rahin Oh rahi!”
Dr. Anand
To be resilient you need to clear you mind space of negativity. Hard to do but can be done with practice – ” Don’t quit”. Inspiring.