JS Tip 57: From the Personal Development Workshops: Bouncing Back I

You can increase your resiliency—your ability to bounce back after difficulty—by building connections horizontally and vertically.

Horizontally means connecting with your friends and co-workers. Your team supports you and gives you strength.

Consider “The Jet Song” from West Side Story:

When you're a Jet,
Let ‘em do what they can,
You got brothers around,
You're a family man!

You're never alone,
You're never disconnected!
You're home with your own:
When company's expected,
You're well protected!  

Notice the lines “Let ‘em do what they can, you’ve got brothers [and sisters] around.” The group—the team—helps and protects one another.

Vertically means connecting with your ancestors and your family history. Get to know your ancestors. (You have a lot of them; the number doubles with each generation.) You’ll find many of them were strong and resilient.

In World War I, a wounded lieutenant colonel George Patton dragged himself from a shell crater and back into the fight because he didn’t want to disappoint his ancestors. (One had fought and died in the American Civil War. Another had served on George Washington’s staff in the American Revolution.)

Lineage provides heritage, and heritage may provide strength and resolve. 

Next week, we’ll talk about building teams and making friends.

Two weeks from now, we’ll talk about exploring our family history.

Our thanks to Amy Miller Weiland for suggesting the discussion.