#ResilienceRealized
RESILIENCE- This is that one word I hear a lot at my workplace, also it suddenly became the most ‘preferred’ word in almost every COVID related conversation. However, writing and practicing it could be two different things. As I sit with someone who is battling one of the rarest cancers in the world, I begin to unravel the meaning of this word.
Resilience is life each day, for a patient undergoing a treatment- A person who battles with anxiety, confusion& pain every day, undergoes treatment every single day and lives in the uncertainty of a complete cure yet is hopeful to live. He chooses to do what is to be done and fights the clouds of despair. Withstands the pain yet shows the courage to undergo a treatment all in the name of faith and hope. He quietens the so-called rational mind that never seizes to question, and he chooses to trust his heart which whispers faintly saying — ‘You will be cured’. Resilience of that man is living through life each day.
Resilience is dedication — Life of a parent who wakes up every day, to get his / her child ready for school. Prepares fresh food, gets him / her ready, sends them off to school. Day after day every day for 12 years till the child is finally not a child anymore. (I saw my mother do this for 3 kids!). Parenthood is hard work, rooted in faith. Strengthened by our belief that what we do will be good for our child. A parent who despite a rough day, remembers to check in with his / her child every day and ask, ‘how was your day today?’. A parent who makes an effort to give the child time to learn & explore new things and gain knowledge. Resilience is in the hard work you put in to raise a child and give it all that you got.
Resilience is hope in the eyes of a child- As I spend the day at a Cancer institute today, I see children as young as 4 undergoing treatments for cancer. What I see in their eyes is a sense of fearlessness. They blissfully play in the ‘kid's area’ after treatment every day and celebrate their birthday in the institute. They, in their innocent way show courage, sometimes more than what adults show. They exhibit resilience wrapped in innocence with the glitter of hope sprinkled all over.
Resilience is in being present- You might not talk everyday with people you are close to. You might have different views in life & different choices. But resilience is in emerging from nowhere and being a pillar of strength and the voice of reason when you near and dear ones need you. It is in being present in difficult times, not to prove your worth, but to selflessly give. There are not many who do this or have the time & courage to be like this. There is always a vested interest or a latent expectation. People who give, who stand with you, who give you strength when you need it the most and do it unquestioningly are the ones to keep close because they are resilience personified.
We are so wrapped in our lives and our problems and suffering; we seldom pause to see life outside of ourselves. Not to see the pain that exists outside of us, but to see it from a completely different perspective. To look at these beautiful instances of hope, resolve & strength …some call it resilience and some simply call it #LifeItself!
