This week felt good. Resilience was my anchor, my go-to. I reminded myself that resilience begins with my thoughts—how I choose to frame challenges, setbacks, and even the mundane moments of life. It’s a practice, one that requires intention and awareness. But this week, I found inspiration in an unexpected place: my six-year-old granddaughter.
As I watched her work through her math problems, I was struck by her focus and delight. She approached each problem with a sense of curiosity and wonder, unburdened by fear of failure or self-doubt. It was a beautiful reminder that we, too, can approach life’s challenges with the same innocent wonder. What if we faced each new event, situation, or obstacle with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a child? What if we allowed ourselves to be curious, to explore, and to find joy in the process, even when the outcome is uncertain?
This week, I encourage you to build your resilience by reconnecting with the simplicity and awe of childhood. Remember what it felt like to see the world as a place full of possibilities, where every moment held the potential for discovery. As Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, wrote in her book The Measure of Our Success, “There are so many noises and pulls and competing demands in our lives that many of us never find out who we are. Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in other people” (Edelman, 1992, p. 12).
Edelman’s words resonate deeply. In the hustle and noise of daily life, it’s easy to lose touch with our authentic selves. But when we pause, when we allow ourselves to be still, we can reconnect with that inner voice—the one that knows who we are and what we’re capable of. It’s in those quiet moments that we rediscover our resilience, our curiosity, and our joy.
So, this week, let’s take a cue from the children in our lives. Let’s approach challenges with curiosity and delight. Let’s carve out moments of stillness to listen to the sound of the genuine within ourselves. And let’s remember that resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s about thriving, with the heart of a child and the wisdom of experience.
Here’s to finding wonder in the everyday and strength in the stillness.
References
Edelman, M. W. (1992). The measure of our success: A letter to my children and yours. HarperOne.
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