Hey there!
I recently just returned to the usual rhythm of life after spending time at a meditation retreat in a small village called Pa Pae in the north of Thailand. It was a blissful and tranquil time, which I’m still processing and reflecting on the learnings and experience of it all. More to come on this later! For now, here are some lovely photos from the retreat.
Today’s Story
As someone who works in the mental health field, I constantly hear about the importance of mental resilience. Even beyond the sphere, these words have become a popular topic of conversation in the media as more and more people are learning how important it is to care for one’s mental health.
I wanted to dig deeper into the definition of resilience because I’ve felt that it’s a complexing and nuanced one to grasp.
Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover from difficulties or be flexible even through adversities. It’s also defined as the ability of an object to return to its original shape. Mental resilience is defined as the ability or life skills of an individual to adapt to hardships, stress, emotional difficulties, and mental health adversities. (Kentucky Counseling Center)
Another aspect of resilience is also the ability to manage and remain strong and calm despite challenging times:
We tend to think of toughness in the physical sense — our ability to complete a hike in cold weather or work long hours without breaks. But toughness can apply to what the mind is capable of, too. With a strong, resilient mind, we can better manage our thoughts, emotions, and energy when we’re faced with stress or challenging situations. (Headspace)
One of the ways I’ve worked on my personal mental resilience is by exercising optimism and reminding myself of the beautiful and transient nature of life. I keep a letter to myself, addressed to the future me who may be going through a tough time.
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“Dear You,
I know how you're feeling. The squeeze in your chest, the knot in your stomach. I have felt it and I have lived through it. You have thoughts about how it would all be much easier if you were to dissipate and become one with the universe. The body feels intolerable, like a hollow and empty vessel that is no longer serving you. There is very little light, very little strength. You feel so small, you want to erase yourself. The present looks foggy, the future…not even in your purview. You focus on the past, yearning for what has been lived. But there’s a reason why we live through things once. Would you appreciate the transient nature of life if you were able to rewind and fast forward?
In these times where it all feels unbearable — when you feel like the world is weighing down on you, when everything is incomprehensible, when you feel small — remember, that you are a miracle of a billion-consequential-events-gone-right. That the gift of life is to sample and taste every emotion there is on the spectrum. That without the lows, there are no highs. That tough times bring you appreciation for the amazing ones. That you are truly special and truly unique. That the world would not and is not the same without you. That your presence affects all lives.
Show up.
Show up for yourself and show up for others.
Because what else is there to do but to be present for this gift of life?
Love,
Your Self”
The Writing Prompt
Write a letter to yourself to read for when you’re going through a tough time.
What is your anchor? What inspires and reminds you to keep going? What matters to you?
Take it easy and take it one day at a time,
Fair
I love this so much! My favourite quote is "you are a miracle of a billion-consequential-events-gone-right. That the gift of life is to sample and taste every emotion there is on the spectrum. That without the lows, there are no highs. That tough times bring you appreciation for the amazing ones. That you are truly special and truly unique. That the world would not and is not the same without you. That your presence affects all lives."