Hope and Resilience

As we deal with endings and new beginnings, the new year is a time to reevaluate your beliefs. Thinking about this, I realized that one of the constants in my life is the belief in resilience. I've even written about it before. (Rolling With the Punches) As a professional, I live in a world where I often see people in intolerable emotional pain. They may have lost their job as happened to one client I saw last year, who didn’t have enough money to pay his rent, much less a steep therapy bill.

Or a loving spouse awakened one day to find his wife had decided to leave him. Divorce was for other people and he now finds himself uncomprehending and inconsolable, unable to get out of bed in the morning or end the day with the gift of sleep. And in between, he is barely able to function.

Another couple with two children living a life filled with love of family, got a mid-afternoon knock on their door to be told their eight year old daughter was hit by a tractor-trailer on her way home from school and died instantly

These are some life’s curve balls unexpectedly tossed one’s way. At that moment these people have no vision that they can survive or that life is even worth living.

Yet with patience, perseverance and help, I’ve seen lives change in ways that are awe-inspiring. I have learned that as hard as times may be, and at times, they are difficult for all human beings, an individual’s ability to thrive, change and grow remains remarkable.

I think of times in my own life where events darkened my own vision and for a period of time I could see no way through to light or joy. Yet with persistence, hard work and time, I began to smile again and what had for a period of time seemed insurmountable became one more life hurdle to overcome.

So this year, instead of making multiple resolutions, I shall stick to two. Hope for less harsh happenings for those I love, care for and for the world at large, and always remember the brilliant resilient ability of the human spirit.