Resiliency.

Having been involved in youth work, we talked about the factors and characteristics kids needed to build their resiliency. Being involved in positive youth groups, having a caring adult as part of their life, etc all contributed to youth developing the skills and experiences that will help them get through the small and big issues that will confront them.

I hadn’t given my own resiliency much thought.
Until I had a work situation that was miserable. I thought I was at the end of my rope. Nothing left. Hanging on by a thread of the rope that was my life.

And then my nephew died.

I had so much more in me, so that I could be there for my family and participate in the activities of that week.

I have had more examples of being able to draw from the deep, to accomplish something I’ve set out to do…accomplish a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathons (13.1 miles), accomplishing my doctorate.

Just the other day, out on a training run, I was tired due to the gardening activities of the day before. I didn’t want to run, but I’d set a goal of running 8 miles. I could have settled for 6 miles and turned around right there. But I drew from the deep, kept running then turned around at mile 4, and ran and walked my way back to my start. I ended up running more than I thought that I could.

My Lesson: I have it in me, sometimes deep, deep down. But it is there.
What do you learn from my thoughts/metaphor/story?