Resilience, the ability to bounce back, time and time again, in the face of adversity, was truly solidified in my vocabulary once I started working with Canadian Military Families. The military lifestyle requires from families to face any challenges at the drop of a dime and I have seen nothing but pride from families in doing so. I swear, it’s almost as if strength is a pre-requirement before a family joins the military community.
Strength can easily be mistaken for someone who has no weaknesses. Alternatively, weaknesses can be mistaken as a bad thing. For those who undergo challenging times, it can be difficult to live to the expectation that one must handle things the best way possible…and do it all on your own. A true sign of strength is living with these weaknesses and challenges and investing in oneself by helping yourself and/or allowing others to do so. If resilience is the ability to bounce back, then strength is the ability to embrace the journey.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that it is ok to not be ok. While this is especially true during these unprecedented times, it applies through all walks of life. As a counsellor, I often remind clients that THEY are the expert in their lives and as such, only they can fully know what it is like to live their life. Only you know what it is like to live your own unique life. Some may be able to relate, some may be able to adapt to situations better which you struggled with. Your lived experiences and circumstances make you a unique person that has varying degrees of strength and resilience in varying situations.
The good news is, your uniqueness is a great thing! I like to tell people to think of their biography. One day, when someone will make a movie of your life, the good and the bad is what will make the movie and Oscar winning movie. All you have to do is figure out how the main character bounces back!
The Family Information Line is a service that could help you figure out that part in your story. We are a confidential , 24/7 service for Canadian Military Families that are there to provide information, referrals, supportive counselling and ongoing virtual counselling. Whether you want to find out about resources to help with your relocation back to Canada, some ideas around managing the stress of Covid-19 and the current social media storms, we’re here to listen and support you. We simply want to assist you, the expert of your life, in completing your story. Think of us as ghost writers!