The Habit of Reflection
If resilience is a character trait, then building it has to also be about a sense of BEING. These past few weeks have offered us an opportunity to reflect deeply on the world around us, what is needed, who we are and our place within . Yet, how quickly have we all resorted to filling up our days with 8 hours worth of video calls rather than stop and reflect? Reflection is hard for us because it requires a stillness in order for us to active listen and understand our thoughts and emotions. It pushes us to look steadily inward toward some kind of larger purpose for our lives and the world, to feel and analyze the trigger points of our reactions.
However, when we make reflection a habit, we gain clarity into what truly matters in our lives and insight into ourselves. Having clarity about what really matters enables us to see how we wish to matter and make a difference.
Understanding what adds value to our lives helps us understand how we can add value to the world around us. And it’s that sense of urgency that will enable us to look to our future selves and move forward, even in periods of uncertainty.
The Power of Play
Enduring resilience also depends on taking time to be playful and laugh. People in the midst of war or on the health care frontlines in a pandemic are under such enormous stress that forms of release through fun are crucial. Taking time for games, to be goofy, to laugh and find emotional release, may seem like an impossible luxury in the midst of stressful decisions…and yet is more centering and renewing than we might otherwise have anticipated. Laughter and play can be as important to enduring resilience as the most strenuous exercise. We as human creatures depend on rhythms of work, rest, and play. These rhythms are put under stress in a marathon or a war…or a pandemic. Yet we will discover enduring resilience when we take time to nourish our souls: through friendships and teamwork, reflection, and play.
That fatigue you are feeling may be your soul asking you for replenishment. Don’t disregard it. Answer its call.
UpBiz 