Resiliency Part 2

Dear Readers,
Yesterday I posted some information about resiliency.

Here is different definition from Merriam-Webster:
: the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens
: the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc.

I am working on building up my own resiliency.
When I told my therapist my life story (poor girl!), she remarked how resilient I was.
That got me to thinking.
I really am! I never thought of myself in that way, but I have bounced back from a lot of difficult situations. 
However, I have to keep working on my thoughts. I make mountains out of molehills, for sure!
From the list of ten I posted yesterday, I picked two I want to continue to grow in.

Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems. You can't change the fact that highly stressful events happen, but you can change how you interpret and respond to these events. Try looking beyond the present to how future circumstances may be a little better. Note any subtle ways in which you might already feel somewhat better as you deal with difficult situations.

Keep things in perspective. Even when facing very painful events, try to consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing the event out of proportion.
(From: The Road to Resilience by the American Psychological Association)

When I get a cold, or have an operation, or am recovering from an operation, or trying to figure out retirement, I tend to think, "This will NEVER end! I will never be able to go to yoga. I will never be able to figure this out."

Now my Loved One, keeps telling me I see temporary things as "forever" or "always". 
I do. 
This is where I need to talk back to some thoughts and say, "Really?"
My colds do get better. I recover from operations.
Here is a biggie:
I find out something new about life when stop fighting and listen.
I discover another part of myself when I switch my thoughts from Poor Me, I Can't to, 
What Can I Do?

Now, I don't always listen to my Loved One, which irritates him at times, but in this case, I think I will.

To all my friends in recovery, you might be surprised to see how resilient you really are!

Comments

  1. This is a hard one for me: "How I feel / the emotional state I am in right now will not last forever." I didn't start to get better at seeing the long view until I saw the same developmentally appropriate behavioral in of my children. They seem to being growing out of "forever-izing" thinking so I need to too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very articulate. That's a good way to word it.
      Thank you,
      Wendy

      Delete
  2. Your Loved One sounds like an amazing guy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is.
      I'm very lucky. Not everyone has a supportive spouse.
      And he's handsome, too!

      Delete
  3. Hi Wendy. you are resilient, look what amazing things you have achieved in your lifetime!
    Lisa
    www.thecword-compassion.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lisa!
      I think we all have more resiliency than we think!
      Hugs,
      Wendy

      Delete

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