Submitted by Walking Through Grief Society – Shirley L Scott
Supported by: FCSS City of Lloydminster, Towns of Vermilion and Wainwright, Villages of Kitscoty and Marwayne, County of Vermilion River and donations
Do you find that Resiliency has become a buzz word, especially during the Covid 19? Do you feel resilient? What really is resiliency?
The dictionary quotes: springing back, returning to original form or position after being bent, compressed or stretched. Being cheerful ,adj. a resilient nature that throws off trouble.
According to that description do you fit, are you resilient, or do you wish you were?
Have you come through the year of the greatest loss one can endure? The death of someone loved or been impacted by a “life loss," ie. job loss, health issues, relationship broken, dreams for the future dashed or lost ”normal” in our society. Do you feel stretched, compressed, bent and broken?
Where does resilience come from? Does it start with the ability to get out of bed when you don’t think you ca , to look at the day 15 minutes at a time, to take on a daily task and complete it, to look a far off and see hope glimmering out there in the darkness? Do you work hard to find a Gratitude and then to increase a Gratitude every day? Could that be the birth of resilience? Will you ever get to the adjective of cheerful or being able to throw off trouble? I believe you can.
Life is a beautiful gift and is meant to be lived. How you live that life is how you honour your loved one who died. For those who have had a “life loss,” you are challenged to dig deep and find something worth investing in again and dreaming for. I believe we all have a seed of resilience born in us and sometime life beats it down. We are born with a sense of self worth, hope, determination, positivity. Like any seed resilience does not grow to maturity over night. Like the mighty Oak tree that starts from a small acorn. It is an ongoing process to become like a tall tree, strong and able to withstand adversity.
To fill your Resilience Tool – Box there are some things you can do:
· Seek resources, learn all you can and become more empowered in this new and changing world.
· Find social connection, even if it is via electronics. Social isolation and loneliness can be mentally and physically debilitating. Also value the touch connection and something shared, memories.
· Utilize whatever electronics you are comfortable with. Even learn a new skill. Use Zoom, Google Chat , Skype, etc. ,
· Make those phone calls and strive to make them often, even when you feel down.
· Walk in nature whenever you can. Look around at what is positive in the world around you.
· Listen to up lifting music.
· Surround yourself with positive people and positive conversation. That may be a challenge but distance yourself from negative people and conversations.
· Start a Gratitude list and add one more each day. Check with your friend’s and family’s list and compare . If they don’t have one, encourage them to begin.
· Seek friends , family , Pastor, counsellor or support person or support group to communicate with and share your feelings and struggles.
· Value yourself and be gentle with self.
· Check the web site for Alberta Health Promotion and Illness Prevention (social isolation and loneliness) for the tool kit.
Remember the Children. Help build resiliency in them on their journey . Walking Through Grief Society is offering grief support for children – Hope After Loss – Audra’s Legacy , a 10 week program starting January 26th . Needing more information or to register by January 15th please contact Shirley at 780-846-2576 or email wtgriefsupp@xplornet.ca
May 2021 allow you to develop that resilience that is found in the dictionary. Being able to stretch and return to original form and be able to be cheerful and throw off trouble more easily . Attempt to move forward with hope and welcome support along the way.
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