“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” ― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven
Life doesn’t differentiate between people who have faced mental health obstacles and those who haven’t experienced it. It throws challenges at them equally & does not show mercy at taking their tests. Each & every one of us face similar issues at different levels be it related to health, finance or relationships. We are humans & our emotions are the experiences we have in common. However, these occurrences may look unfair as many of the “Normal” people tend to wade through life pretty easily than others for whom every obstacle may look like a mountain. But this is far from being a permanent truth. In reality, people facing mental health issues can significantly improve their conditions and those with “Normal” mental health can find themselves in trouble if they take this privilege for granted. The bottom line is no one is entitled to always enjoy a good mental health. It is our attitude which determines whether we will respect this gift & savor it or abuse it & see it slipping right in front of our eyes. What one attracts, one will receive (1). A person living an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle & expecting his vitality to not sag-is a disaster waiting to happen. (2)
Finding our “Why”
There is no such thing as a “It Can’t Happen to Me” when we talk about human experiences. Since we all are in the same boat, we need a universal system to guide us through this maze of life. Some of us may be desperate to find a way while others might still be able to afford unhealthy habits. Whatever our position, it’s never too late to begin improving. In the monotony of everyday life, it’s easy to get illusioned that things will always remain the same. We might even become ignorant enough to forget that we will one day too-grow old & die. Shouldn’t we then spend our time doing things that are most important to us & not take things we have for granted? Shouldn’t we instead work on enhancing our lives & those of others to cherish this limited time we have? Here, Death can be a hidden friend -reminding us about the fragility of life & inspiring us to live it to its fullest. Logically & theoretically, we are well versed with these insights however what’s ironic is that we often find ourselves failing miserably at the application part. It is therefore imperative that we instead build such habits & skills that makes achieving these goals easier.
The Roadmap
“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” ― F. M. Alexander
One might argue that one can live one’s life without bothering about any of this stuff and it is quite possible. However, it comes out to be very expensive- not in terms of money but in things much more valuable than it. How many of us would like to live a life full of failing relationships, daily financial struggles, low self esteem & the huge disappointment of not able to do what we are capable of doing? Adding to this is the profit-extracting policy of the majority of the society where any weakness is often exploited for selfish purposes by the people. How many people would like to afford such a price? That’s the price of “Not bothering” about solving our issues. The good news is that we have the power to choose otherwise.
What does Building Resilience mean to you?
“Sometimes carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.” — Albert Camus
Resilience could mean different things to different people. For some it could mean not losing one’s temper in a heated argument, for others not getting too affected by negative criticism. Resilience is our shield against our setbacks & odds & the ability to do better. Find which aspect of your life needs more resilience. Is it your personal, social, spiritual or professional life? Then start building it.
Build Your Resilience
Start early and Don’t start
“Inspiration exists but it has to find you working.” - Pablo Picasso There is no “Right time” to start off things but there is surely an “Early time” that can bring all the difference. Also, another commitment to make is to complete what is started. As Mr. Bill Gates famously says “I Don’t start a book that I know I won’t finish”.
Avoid Overconfidence
No matter how fit or smart or intelligent-one has been, there is no guarantee of things going the same way. It is irresponsible to take these assets for granted. Remember, no one is “Invincible”.
Explore the world
If one is continuously looking outwards & able to learn new perspectives, the problems of small ill-minded people won’t bother him/her. Reading is one such method to dive in & feel the thought process of the greatest minds. Biographies & memoirs are a treasure- bringing together vast knowledge & global experiences at our fingertips.
Staying Connected
“Look out for the people whose eyes lit up when you talk about your dreams, those are the people you keep.”
- Elizabeth Gilbert
Spend time with people who matter. Be it your family or close friends, it is an important lesson to abide by. Selflessly helping other human beings also builds up strong altruistic connections.
Learn to Take Care
If you take care of things, they last.” - Anonymous Take care of: your body- Dance, Run, Swim-Move it, your mind- Read, Think, Listen Good, Expand it, your surroundings-Tidy & organized, your time- Well managed, your relationships- Healthy & fulfilling, your life- Balanced & enjoyable. Not everyone lives with privileges as bestowed upon you.
Find a “Higher purpose”
Something that has more elevated significance than the trivia of life. This will be the anchor & inspiration in difficult times. “A Dream” as it is generally called. It can bring in a grand difference. (3)
Love yourself
When you’re not feeling good enough, when you feel you have failed, when you don’t feel lovable-love yourself. That’s the best opportunity. To not be so hard on ourselves & instead giving ourselves the time we need to grow.
Takeaway Message
These are few things that are under our conscious control & if we are lucky enough to learn & harness this knowledge, then we must. Remember there would-be days when we need “All of ourselves” & our abilities to handle a situation. We don’t want regret or helplessness to be our guide then. Prevention is certainly better than the cure if we’re talking about life. So, let’s better be ready!
“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” ― Jodi Picoult
References
LawofAttraction.com/What Is the Law of Attraction? Open Your Eyes to A World of Endless Possibilities/https://www.thelawofattraction.com/what-is-the-law-of-attraction
Lifespan/Health Risks of a Sedentary Lifestyle/ https://www.lifespanfitness.com/workplace/resources/articles/health-risks-of-a-sedentary-lifestyle/April 13, 2017
Bob Rosen Ph.D./Psychology Today/How to Find Your Higher Purpose/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/are-you-aware/201812/how-find-your-higher-purpose
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