The idea of resilience as thriving was new to me after meeting with John Williams on Friday. I have always valued the idea of resilience, knowing we can’t teach it to others so much as model it in our own lives and create systems and structures so others don’t have to develop similar skills. I heard someone once say they want their ceiling to be the next generation’s floor. Constant improvement for the sake of those coming behind us. I am learning to embrace this thinking rather than just surviving, resilience carries elements of proactive, future-oriented engagement.
I took copious notes during John’s talk. I don’t know where to start. Resilience is moving upstream to stop the wrong rather than waiting for it to arrive and helping alleviate the burden in the moment. This is the difference expressed in acts of mercy vs. acts of justice. Resilience is more than surviving. Additionally, resilience is seeing a lack and working to fill it. But resilience is also recognizing abundance and working to share it. Surviving is a passive experience. Resilience takes action. It doesn’t simply get through hard times, resilience comes out stronger on the other side.
I have seen resilience in those who have come before. Those who persevere in the fight for justice on behalf of all people. I appreciate that John encouraged reading as a way to build resilience. Simply having him share with us was another exercise of my resilience muscle. It is too easy for me to engage my privilege as a while male and just stop. But hearing John’s stories and reading those of others inspire me to continue the work on their behalf. I’ve had my own setbacks in working for peace but when compared with the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before, I can’t help but press on. I must continue to work for equitable systems so that others never have to develop grit or resilience in order to thrive.
2 comments
I love this take and I am chuckling too, because I am working on my post which is more focused on resilience as something negative, as John said “resilience shouldn’t have to be learned.” So reading your post caused me to look back and recognize that we have to hold both things at the same time…resilience, though it may be forged in hardships and injustices, is a beautiful gift too and something to behold and admire.
Thank you for all of your insightful reflections about resilience. Dr. Williams gave us so much to chew on that topic. And thank you for the reminder that we, as privileged white, must continue the work of racial justice so that others can not just survive…but thrive.