Recently I had a conversation with a friend about a project she was interested in, and our conversation led us to the topic of resilience. The phrase came up ‘the’ anatomy of resilience’ as I went on my way I pondered on yet another clever phrase which is an attempt to create a framework,or definition, for a somewhat abstract phenomenon.
A medical definition is given as follows:-
The capacity to respond to stress in a healthy way such that goals are achieved at minimal psychological and physical cost. Resilient individuals ‘bounce back’ whilst also growing stronger.
The American Psychological Association defines it as follows;-
‘The process of adapting well in the face in the face of adversity trauma tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress’.
What is absence from the above is reference to the spiritual dimension of human personality and living. I found this reference to the above referring to the ability to ‘bounce back’, and it is this idea of ‘bouncing back’ which unites the medical and spiritual definitions, and is hinted at in the American Psychological definition also.
‘The ability to ‘bounce back’ as an immune system and to introduce the idea of ;-
I have
I am
I can
Another idea re spiritual response within resilience is that of a muscle indicating a parallel
with building up muscle just as we do in physical training.
Initially such an idea seemed simplistic to me , but on reflection I can see that resilience is supported through the many loving,and encouraging behaviours within human relationships. Many people are simply good at being alongside in stressful situations and don’t even think about, or perhaps know, the powerful affect this has.
In our current chaotic and upside down world I think we are searching for definitions for resilience in an attempt to grasp, or create a framework to live within, to know, in our desperation what do I need?
The internet is overflowing with views on resilience, one which is perhaps easiest to remember is listed as having four components, confidence control commitment and challenge Clough ,Peter. Teaching mental toughness October 2019.
The idea is to teach skills even to children as young as 9 or 10 years as well as adults of course to develop mindfulness, and foster activities within education to connect within relationships which give positive feedback enhancing self worth confidence control commitment and challenge.
Throughout my life time Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT has become the first on stage as a panacea for all ills,only exceeded today by mindfulness. Each of these have their uses and values, but finding resilience from different and difficult life events has been highlighted by the pandemic a massive event or events that threw the global populations into regressive states fracturing the stability of life and our philosophical and institutional frameworks, so we are now trying to recover within chaos.
I am reminded of the great titanic disaster when people cast to the sea with too few boats seeking to survive holding on or floating on bits of broken planks or other objects from the ship, the ship that was supposed to be unsinkable had gone down. I think it does not quite cut it, what could? However as I write I am fighting an itch in the form of a question how do the most vulnerable recover? The truth is maybe difficult to swallow as they may not be able to access courses on resilience, or even read this blog, and I have no smart answers today.
There is a need for people to feel renewal through finding a faith in their religion or world philosophy. There are over four thousand of these in our world today, but in many cases they have been found wanting by people who feel so whipped by the mess the world is in.
It is well understood today that the bonding period with newborn and mother has remarkable value for the development of self worth. Indeed the notion has taken root during my lifetime of mirroring when mother and child look into each other’s face for the first time. This bonding when continued throughout childhood becomes part of the ability to have and maintain a self worth. Many other factors come into play, but lets say this is the base for growth and healthy development.
I have, I am, I Can provide a good and easily remembered way to foster your need for resilience they resonate with an idea of self worth, and indicate development of strength and determination to achieve one’s goals.
After this reflection I am left with the need to state that no matter where one looks the notion of resilience still remains abstract, hard to define and somewhat surprising in the sense that those one might least expect are often quite resilient.
I have not taken the reflection into the realms of culture norms and mores etc but I am aware that, for myself, having grown up in a border community in Northern developed an inner strength in difficult situations which has enhanced my whole life.
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aoibheann thoughtful reflections 