resilience | rəˈzilyəns | (also resiliency) noun 1) the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness: the often remarkable resilience of so many British institutions. 2) the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity: nylon is excellent in wearability and resilience.
It took me a minute to think about when the best time was to post this article and as it relates to this horrible event in my history as an American. In fact, there were far more interesting posts and articles then mine that makes this point about resiliency so clear. What challenge can do to us and tremendous friction or adversity can do to us when we’re introduced to it. In this case of 9/11, with out a choice.
Jon Avalon from CNN did an incredible piece yesterday on this very thing. Here’s a quote from the article that really grabbed me in regards to resilience.
“The heroic actions of those we lost reawakened us to the essential importance of personal courage. Overnight, and somewhat to our surprise, New York has been embraced as the nation’s symbol of resilience, the indomitable heart of America.”
He goes on through the article to talk through, be prepared some graphic, what resilience to this tragedy created in the many people and families impacted by 9/11. I can personally remember every single thing clear as the day it happened as it impacted me. The drive home from training in Indy where there wasn’t a single bird or plane in the sky. The eeriness of my car being the only one driving on a major highway as I rushed to get home to my wife.
I remember. But, I also remember what it taught me and how it changed me. How it made me think differently about my life and choices I’ve made and would make moving forward. How life is precious and we need to take every ounce of juice we can from it while we’re still here. Because, at any moment, it can be taken from you. It taught me what incredible compassion in each other can do and create. How humanity can bond together if they so choose and change for the better. That it can overcome any adversity as long as we stop long enough to learn from it.
Another quote from Jon makes this point:
This was the spirit of a resilient city — outraged, engaged, and unified. Slowly the eulogies began to take shape, common themes woven through the contours of their extraordinary individual lives.
Maybe you were not around to know, feel, or see this as it unfolded in real time. That’s okay. You can still learn from it. If you did experience like I did or like the city did, you get it. You’re an example for everyone what resiliency is all about.
If you have the time read the article of the link provided below from Jon, I highly recommend you take the time to read the whole thing.
9/11 Remembered: https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/10/opinions/9-11-avlon/
It’s incredible and several reminders popped into my head about that day, now 17 years ago, that still are very real to me today as lessons in being resilient. How building resilience can change us and show us we’re far more capable of overcoming adversity than we give ourselves or humanity credit for. We don’t have to roll over and quit. We can take change, immense change, and it can be the catalyst we need to achieve.
Thank you for your time.
✌🏻 Shawn
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