*Thank you to Donna of Kia Maia for allowing us to share this piece. You can see more of her content here and her website here.*
I had not heard of resilience until I was an adult in my thirties. It became a buzzword, and it popped up all over the place. But I never really understood what it was. Were we just expected to have it? Much like the mythical unicorn, resilience is often elusive, appearing just when you need it most, shimmering with the promise of overcoming adversity in a blaze of glitter and glory.
Imagine trudging through the swamp of life’s challenges and suddenly there it is - resilience. Prancing out of the dark with a rainbow mane and a sparkle in its eye. Just when you thought all hope was lost, resilience appears like a beacon of hope.
Let’s not get carried away with the glitter! Resilience, though magical, isn’t a creature of legend but a trait deeply engrained in human nature. It’s that inner spark that ignites when life throws its worst at us, pushing us up and forward with grit and determination.
While our unicorn friend frolics in our imaginations, resilience thrives in the daily grind of life’s ups and downs. It’s not about saving kingdoms and taking on daring acts; it’s facing adversity head-on, dusting yourself off, and getting back on the unicorn saddle.
Unlike unicorns that are solitary, our resilience finds strength in company by building strength in our connections. It’s the support of friends, family, and our networks that gives our resilience a hand-up in times of need, reminding us we are not alone.
So, while resilience may share a hint of magic with unicorns, it’s actually grounded in the human experience. It’s about embracing the strength within ourselves to weather life’s storms. And who knows, maybe there is a little bit of unicorn in all of us.
-Donna
Voices of Hope wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone. Click here to 'find help' - it's not weak to speak!