Resilience and Perseverence

These past couple of weeks have been extremely difficult as I have seen several friends going through enormously difficult situations -- situations that completely tear away at the carefully structured framework and plans for a life,  forcing a complete re-evaluation of what is true and not true, what is really important and necessary, and what defines the future.

These life altering events can happen incrementally (e.g. a degenerative disease) or it can happen in the blink of an eye (e.g. a car accident), but these events can rattle a person to the very essence of their being -- calling into question core beliefs and shattering self-confidence.

Within in each one of us, though, is a spark -- a spark of hope that continues to keep the essence of who we are and what we stand for alive through the darkest hour.  Resilience is the ability to nurture that spark into a roaring flame, to overcome the adversity and not only live through it, but triumph over it to become even stronger than before.

And through these situations, having a support system is key. Those that use that support system are those that can weather the storm.  Often overlooked members of that support system are our animals, who have the innate ability to know what is wrong and what to give us when we need it most.

For all those going through great adversity, my wish for each of you is hope and the ability to persevere.  Develop your support system (human and animal) and use it in order to triumph over life's curveballs.