“Our greatest glory is not in
never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”_ Confucius
Today, I
want to write briefly about the principle of grit and resilience.
To begin,
let me consult my dictionary first.
Resilience
is defined in the dictionary as one’s ability to recover quickly from setbacks
while grit is defined as one’s determination or strength of character.
If grit is determination
and determination is essential to perseverance; grit is therefore the essence of
resilience. It is our ultimate source of staying power and an energy storehouse
that we can tap to weather any storm under the heaven.
Grit gives
us the necessary strength to keep moving when we could have been tempted to
relax or surrender. It is what enables
us to take bold actions in the face of incredible challenges.
Grit enables
us to display perseverance when we may have reached the end of our capacities.
It enables us to keep firm in the face of adversity and extreme difficulties.
The virtue
of grit and resilience is what we can learn from a Bamboo tree, which can bend with
the varying gusts of the wind but never give in to their consuming pressures.
And
like a Bamboo tree, we humans also have the ability to bounce back from any difficulties
or challenges; we have the ability to adapt to all life’s circumstances.
An expert on
grit and endurance, Angela Duckworth tells us that in all super challenging contests;
those who outperformed their peers are not those with superhuman natural endowments,
but they are those with considerable measure of grit and resilience.
They are the
ones with a type of mental toughness that allows them to bear the full burden
of their responsibilities with determination and unshakable resolve.
Now, to
develop this precious quality, Amanda Ripley, the author of ‘The Unthinkable:
Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and Why,’ has something to impart. She writes:
“People who
have it tend to also have three underlying advantages: a belief that they can
influence life events; a tendency to find meaningful purpose in life’s turmoil,
and a conviction that they can learn from both positive and negative
experiences.”
Grit is the
foundation of resilience and a synonym for mental toughness. It is the fire
within us that will refuse to die, no matter what we may be going through. It
is what we can count on when all else fails.
It is our
last trump card in using painful experiences to transform our lives and fulfill
our full potential: It is our best antidote to all life’s stressors.
With it, we
can respond to any situation with resourcefulness, courage and creativity. Without
it, we won’t go very far.
