Resilience as defined by common wisdom “is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience; refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people to rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas. “
The resilience that we betray is strongly rooted in a our tenacity of spirit; a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds.
I believe that because we have a clear sense of our identity and our purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future based on our belief in God and the principles that we value most. Most assuredly our resilience comes from our strong sense of community and family as well as our relationships that allow us to lean on God and each other.
I know that it seems almost overwhelming considering the losses we have suffered through in the last election or elections. But there are bright spots, and we must understand are blessed with a community of good friends, family, and neighbors. They will continue to be our first line of support. Then we have our friends that may seem far away…. but they are with us as well.
During the next couple of years, if we are to take our cities, our counties, our states and our country back, we must work with a stronger sense of faith and commitment. We must do this one family at a time. This time sitting back and hoping someone else will come forward, will not help.
Christopher Reeve said, “We can either watch life from the sidelines, or actively participate…Either we let self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy prevent us from realizing our potential, or embrace the fact that when we turn our attention away from ourselves, our potential is limitless.”
Every day we get up out of bed and we have to ability to (what was it Billy Crystal said)… “do over” what has happened to us the day before and God willing, we will have the next day to do the same. It’s only when we stop that we fail. So as Mary Pickford said “for this thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
So for those of us West Tennesseans, East Tennesseans, Middle Tennesseans and those across the nation, lets get up and get out and find out what we can do to help. I know we have it in us.
