Bethany Tucker - Like A Bouncy Ball

  Have you ever noticed just how offended some people get over the most insignificant things? What about the way some completely stop in their tracks over a minor inconvenience or setback? What these people lack, or simply don’t practice, is resilience. Resilience is an important quality that everyone can possess, and all it requires is a bit of patience and self-control.
     Resilience is a word that we hear in many forms: tough, strong, springy, adaptable… the list goes on and on. To have the quality of resilience is to be “thick-skinned,” you don’t let things get to you too often. It’s taking blow after blow, not necessarily in a physical manner, and getting back up. Even though it’s just a word, to be called resilient is one of the greatest compliments any self-respecting person can receive -- it’s a reflection of your strength, composure, and integrity. It’s important that we don’t misuse or abuse the word.
     Resilience is not limited to mental strength -- it can also be used to describe physical strength. For example, someone who falls ill and quickly recovers can be accurately described as resilient. In this sense, everyone is resilient to a degree. Some people go days without food and yet they are able to carry on. They are resilient. I have shown resilience in my ability to recover from a difficult surgery. Something that should’ve taken me four to six months to heal from has only taken me three months. Even everyday objects like a bouncy ball can show qualities of resilience. No matter how many times it hits another surface, the ball will always spring back.
     Resilience is not allowing the things people say to get to you. Let harsh words roll off your back; however, if you find yourself caught off-guard by insults and unwarranted negativity, compose yourself and carry on. Resilience is not a “tough guy” act. Don’t ignore your problems, no matter how much easier it may seem to do so; instead, face and solve them. Be patient with yourself and with others. You shouldn’t put your life on pause because of a negative circumstance. No matter how bad things may seem, being resilient will help you get through it.
     In today’s world, resilience is difficult to find. It seems as though everyone gets upset over the most insignificant things. I recently witnessed a beautiful young girl reduced to tears over not placing in her pageant; the opinion of three people was simply too much to bear. Such minuscule things. The quality of being resilient seems to hold little value to society now. The media is constantly plastered with political parties bickering over small disagreements. Someone is always upset about something that the president says on twitter; albeit, he does say some pretty questionable things. There’s always something, be it intentional or not, that will offend someone. Resilience simply isn’t as valued as it should be.
     Resilience is vital to our development in society. It teaches us to think before we act, to carry on during hard times, and to embrace what we cannot control. Resilience is the motivation we need to surge forward in life. It’s the understanding and acceptance that life will throw obstacles in our paths -- we need to overcome those obstacles.
     Resilience is a rare quality, but it is an important one. Anyone can be resilient if they choose. Rather than getting mad and reacting negatively to a circumstance or to the vocal/written opinion of others, stabilize yourself and move on. That is resilience.