Resilience sounds like work.  It sounds painful and daunting.  It certainly doesn’t sound like any fun.  It sounds necessary, like flossing, but exhausting – something that would be avoided if at all possible.  

But here’s what I’ve learned – the times I have the best chance of being resilient are actually filled with joy.  It’s in the moments of laughter with loved ones, in deep hugs, and time spent with a compassionate listener – these are hallmarks of resilience in my life.  

They are the moments that help lift me up and show me the next step forward.  They happen when I’m playing LEGOs with my son and having dance parties in the kitchen.  They happen when I’m taking walks in the woods or tasting something I’ve foraged along the way.  

Resilience is embedded in the many small moments I come home to my own path, remember who I am and where my strength comes from; resilience happens when I give myself time to find places to shelter, heal, and grow.  It is from those places of resilience that I recognize my agency to live into my values and impact my life and the lives around me.  

Resilience is like the cup of  coffee I choose to sip at the start of the day, and becomes a friend who lifts me up, brings a smile to my face, and helps me step into the day with intention.

Join me for the next Joy Work Lab on July 21st at 7 pm EST to explore Joy Seed exercises and practice ways to integrate resilience in our daily lives.