Everybody has lots of traits that make up who they are and how they act. Some traits are passive in your life and some are dominant. Different situations in your life will cause you to demonstrate actions that are generated because of the traits that make up your inner self.
As I myself am a highly-functioning, need-for-achievement kind of person, there are many different traits that make up who I am and how I act, and they can vary on a daily basis. But, every time something bad or unfair happens to me, which usually does now about on a monthly basis, there is one trait that I look for and am always waiting to come out. That is the trait of resilience. If there is only one trait that my kids grow up to get from me, I just want it to be the trait of resilience. That ability to pick yourself up when something knocks you down, bursts your bubble and breaks your spirit. The ability to bounce back and not do so with a false persona or a game face but a real inner ability to push yourself quickly beyond the bad and get back to the good.
Usually, each month – and sometimes each week – present me with some type of crisis. A great employee decides to quit for another job. But rather than just turn in a notice of resignation they throw you under the bus, poison other people and create animosity and adversity within the organization. Or, when a client who you have repeatedly over-delivered for and totally over-serviced by your efforts sends you a termination notice; just as you finally have your organization where you want it, you are now thrust into survival time. Maybe beyond work, when something happens to a friend or family member like them telling you they have a very serious illness and have a low chance to survive or that their marriage is coming to an end. Regardless of the situation, the bigger it seems you get the more of these issues you have hitting you in the face all the time.
That is why over the last year I have developed such an admiration for the trait of resilience that is very strong in my body and mind. It’s not always the most pleasant thing in life to get to deal with all this controversy, but you sure learn to respect and appreciate your ability to come back from it.