Resilience Reflections

Think of people who have overcome great obstacles while maintaining their resolve and dignity. My maternal grandmother was born into a poor family- the youngest of three girls whose father died when she was just three years old. My maternal grandfather also grew up poor and neglected, living among  family members at a young age. By the time they were  seven years old, they stopped going to school and started working in order to  survive the Great Depression. They met, married, and eventually became small business owners until once again facing adversity under a dictator. This led to them fleeing their home country to start all over again. They took menial jobs and were at times treated as "less than" for not speaking English, yet started another business a few years later. Theirs is similar to many stories of people born into poverty, the unhoused, and immigrants; those who may experience belittlement and indignities yet always have their dignity.

While dignity is a person's inherent worth and cannot be taken away regardless of circumstances, resilience is a capacity that can be developed. Dignity emboldens resilience by providing a foundation of self-worth that helps individuals navigate and overcome adversity. It is a powerful internal resource that enables people to face challenges without feeling completely broken or dehumanized.  While human dignity is something we are all born with, how do violations of dignity impact our ability to bounce back and remain resilient? How do we tap into our innate dignity to reinforce our ability to overcome setbacks? Habits that promote resilience simultaneously help maintain our dignity when treated with indignity.

The great Nelson Mandela famously stated, “No power on this earth can destroy the thirst for human dignity.” While dignity can be violated, our inherent worth cannot be destroyed. This allows us to remain steadfast, and resilient, despite struggle and setbacks. His resolve was intertwined with the principle that his inherent worth- his dignity- could not be taken away.  Instead of being broken by a 27 year imprisonment, he became the first democratically elected President of South Africa only four years later. Despite overwhelming violations of dignity, Mandela maintained his self-worth through his core purpose, which was to abolish apartheid. He also adhered to compassionate self-care routines and fostered supportive relationships with fellow inmates as well as some warders.

Consider the ways that you continue to stay resilient, and maintain your sense of self dignity.

• What is your higher purpose in life? 
• How do you engage in self-compassion? Self-care?
• Where do you find support? How connected are you to a support system?

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou