February 2018
Passion and Purpose
By Laura Nissen, Director of Marketing, Luther Manor Communities
Helen Keller was born blind and deaf and had many more speed bumps than most of us for a longer period of her lifetime. She often said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.”
I am consistently amazed and in awe by working with the families that we serve. One of the most impressive things that I observe on an hourly basis is the practice of Resilience. In thinking about how Resilience is demonstrated, I view it as the ability to bounce back from setbacks or speed bumps along the way. I often wonder if resilience is an inherent or learned skill.
From my observations of watching our families resilience is a learned skill. Some learn it quicker than others and some take to it right away. Some take a couple passes through a few setbacks and learn it over time. Resilience is more accessible and available to some than for others, but everyone can strengthen their resilience. Regardless of how we all learn it, it so beautiful to watch.
How to strengthen your resilience:
In working with hundreds of families the practices below are the most universal keys that the most resilient families demonstrate:
· Take care of yourself and stay committed to extreme self-compassion
· Try to always remain positive, grateful and optimistic
· Learn creative and innovative ways to adjust to the situation
· Develop and exercise a strong sense of humor
· Open your heart to your loved one and be kind
So one thing is certain, our lives are full of blessings but we all have a few challenges as well. We would all be best served to strengthen our resilience so we can be strong in both our peaks and valleys. Bern Williams said that “Man has never made a material more resilient than the human spirit” and based upon what my eyes tell me, I agree with that whole heartedly.