So here we are in a new year. Normally, we would have made some resolutions, something to improve upon our old selves from last year. Some of us might have even kept those resolutions for a month or two! But last year was such a strange roller coaster ride that making resolutions seemed almost silly this time. Everything we really wanted to change seemed to be far beyond our control.
It occurs to me that what we really need to work on is our resilience. The more that we got bashed about emotionally last year, it kind of got harder and harder to get back up. Yet we did. Maybe we could use a few pointers on how to keep going or at least a little inspiration on maintaining our resilience. Resilience is a wonderful thing. It’s the ability to take what life gives you and overcome it with your individual style and aptitude and come back stronger for having experienced it. Of course, not all life experiences are good but the lessons we learn can be. Here are three great books that can help you understand more about resilience:
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This is the author’s sharing of his experience of growing up Black in America and how racism is inherently part of our history and identity. His resilience is shown through all measures of his life – his fear of living in a Black body, the false pretenses of the American dream, police brutality, and racial inequality. These obstacles weigh heavy on his mind and soul as does the worry of the future for his son.
- Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead by Brené Brown
The way to love and belonging, finding your true joy, is to allow yourself to be vulnerable. Life is full of obstacles to overcome, to rise above. This book shows you to not be afraid to face the discomfort and to move forward stronger from having felt it.
- Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela
He spent more than 25 years in prison, falsely accused of alleged treason and sabotage, but he held no bitterness in his heart. Once freed, he went on to become one the greatest politicians, fighting racial inequality and oppression in South Africa for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Nelson Mandela is the physical personification of resilience.
If you’re feeling low and like you just can’t take one more thing. Take a moment to read up on resilience. Maybe you’ll get a little inspiration. We all have it within us. Keep rising! Stronger every day!