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Resilience

Resilience in the Face of Disaster

Here's how to find the best way forward during any crisis.

Key points

  • There are always good ways forward through a crisis. Look for them.
  • Accept and experience feelings to move them through the body.
  • Resilience is the ability to bounce forward, where one finds the lesson to be learned from any challenge.
  • Relationships with others and with community are important sources of strength and resilience during crises.
Source: Francesco Ungaro / Pexels
Source: Francesco Ungaro / Pexels

Flying in from Belize to Los Angeles yesterday, I was immediately confronted with the devastating fires sweeping across the region. My house in Topanga Canyon was evacuated, so I was not able to go home. Last night, my community was right in the line of the fire. With strong Santa Ana dry winds of up to 50 to 60 miles per hour expected in the coming days, my emotions are going up and down with each change in wind direction.

My heart goes out to all those who have already lost so much. Ironically, I had just published my book The 9 Pillars of Resilience: The Proven Path to Master Stress, Slow Aging, and Increase Vitality, and now I find myself practicing resilience based on my nine pillars to navigate this experience effectively.

Embracing Emotional Balance and Self-Compassion

One of the crucial elements of resilience is allowing myself to experience all the feelings that arise in the face of this disaster. This is my pillar number six: emotional balance and mastery. In times of crisis, emotions can be overwhelming, and it is vital to acknowledge and process them without judgment.

It’s essential, as part of this process, to be compassionate towards myself, which is my pillar number one: “relationship with self.” Compassion and acceptance have a way of lubricating the process of experiencing, expressing, and then releasing emotions. Thus, I can process my feelings to maintain emotional equilibrium and prevent painful feelings from spiraling out of control.

Cultivating Hope and Positive Mindset

It’s easy, during this dire situation, to go into catastrophic expectations imagining a worst-case scenario. I remind myself that the fire has not reached my community yet. I then shift into a hopeful and prayerful mode.

This is my way of finding the best mindset, which is my pillar number five: mental balance and mastery. Instead of getting stuck in negative thoughts and emotions, I focus on maintaining a positive outlook and envisioning a better outcome. This mindset shift is crucial for staying resilient and navigating through challenging times with strength and determination.

Many people will tell me this is difficult. The key is recognizing that it’s the right approach because it helps you maintain emotional balance and hope. Therefore, as I tell my clients, if it’s the best approach, it doesn’t matter that it’s difficult.

Valuing Relationships and Community Support

The importance of relationships and community becomes even more evident during disasters. My second and third pillars emphasize the significance of maintaining healthy relationships and being part of a supportive community. Knowing that we are not alone provides immense comfort and reminds us of the strength we gain from our connections with others, my pillar number two. Building and nurturing these relationships is a fundamental aspect of resilience, helping us to cope better with adversity.

Seeking Spiritual Support and Finding Meaning

Prayer and a relationship with something greater than ourselves play a vital role in resilience. This is my pillar number three. Spiritual support can provide solace and strength.

When you combine this with finding meaning and purpose in your life, even amidst chaos, you can see past the disaster to a more promising future. By turning to spirituality and purpose, I can draw upon a deeper sense of resilience and stay grounded in my beliefs, which provides a stable foundation during tumultuous times.

Practicing Physical Balance and Breathing Techniques

Taking time to breathe and focusing on physical balance is another essential aspect of resilience. Breathing at about six breaths per minute encourages parasympathetic recovery, which is my pillar number four: physical balance and mastery. This practice helps to restore nervous system balance and allows me to think more clearly, reinforcing pillar number five. By incorporating breathing techniques, I can manage stress more effectively and maintain a calm and focused state of mind.

Shifting to Gratitude

Amidst the chaos, finding a way to shift into a place of gratitude is incredibly powerful. Gratitude encourages optimal heart rate variability, contributing to nervous system balance. By adopting an attitude of gratitude, I can short-circuit any tendency to become negative or anxious during a crisis. Focusing on the positive aspects of life helps to foster resilience and maintain a constructive mindset.

Navigating “The Path” Forward

In the middle of a crisis, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with worry and anxiety. Our minds often gravitate towards catastrophic expectations, imagining the worst possible outcomes. However, it’s essential to recognize that our imagination can be more damaging than any truth. There is always a “best way” forward, which I refer to as “The Path.” Knowing this and actively searching for that path automatically guides us into positive and constructive thinking and behaviors.

By embracing the principles outlined in my nine pillars of resilience, I can navigate through the challenges posed by the fires with a sense of strength and purpose. These pillars provide a roadmap for maintaining emotional balance, cultivating hope, valuing relationships, seeking spiritual support, practicing physical balance, and shifting into gratitude. Together, they form a powerful approach to resilience, enabling me and you to face disasters with courage and determination.

As I pray for those currently in harm’s way, I encourage everyone to adopt a resilient approach and find “The Path” forward during these times of turmoil. Resilience is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving in the face of adversity and emerging stronger on the other side.

Remember, I define resilience as the ability to bounce forward. Each challenge offers opportunities for lessons to be learned. By embracing these pillars, we can navigate the storms of life with grace and fortitude, finding hope and meaning even in the darkest of times. And continually bounce forward.

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