Resiliency

A trait common in all of my Be Happier in Spite of Your Life shows is RESILIENCY. I look at each of them and wonder how they did it – get from the trauma, diagnosis, pain, background, etc. to become who they are now. To me they are superstars.  They have overcome adversity, and then took that experience and turned it into something positive! They are now giving back and mentoring others. 

What exactly is resiliency?  

• The American Psychological Association (2014) defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress”.  

• The Oxford dictionary defines it as “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties”.  

• Another definition is “to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress”

• Some call it “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.”  “Toughness.” 

• I simply define it as GRIT, and it can be emotional, mental, physical, and/or social. 

There are common characteristics of people who have resiliency:  acceptance, purpose, and flexibility.  There are also some skills which can be developed to improve one’s resiliency which I will cover in one of my upcoming monthly modules on learning how to be happier.