Wow! Here we are, February 2020, almost five weeks into the New Year. Maybe you made New Year's Resolutions, how's that going for you? Statistics show only about 1 in 3 people will make it past 31 days towards their resolution; you really have to be strong to make it through February. Many people make resolutions, but you may be the only one keeping them. The most common resolutions are getting into shape (fitness), losing weight, and eating better.
We always want to look better and feel better, but what about conditioning our hearts and minds? Allow me to share a quote with you by pastor Steven Furtick, "Resolutions are cheap Resilience is priceless." Resiliency makes it possible for us to get back up after a fall; without it, we will not have the mental or spiritual strength to succeed.
Resolutions may help us build better resiliency during difficult days. Depending on your emotional and physiological well-being, many of the struggles we have or had in the past may still be chasing us when we look in the rearview mirror. Stop looking back! If you haven't noticed, the windshield is a lot bigger than the mirror. Life can throw some tough situations at us, and sometimes we need to find our own way forward. Other times we need a little help spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. We all have a breaking point, ask for help.
Resolutions for resiliency start with identifying the problems and putting them in order of priority that will work for you. Once you have solved that problem, you can begin to work on the next, and so forth, then you have developed resiliency and are making progress.
We can also engage loved ones, caring friends, and co-workers. There are also church and social organizations that offer support group opportunities, which can help you through valleys. Militarily we have several options, such as an on-staff Director of Psychological Health, Chaplains, and Military One Source. Letting others know we are hurting is an important step in the resiliency process. Having others by our side reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles; sometimes, others are needed to help us get back up when we stumble.
Physical well-being is also vital in the resolution and resiliency process. For instance, eating properly, the right foods can reduce blood pressure and stress on our bodies. You probably think I am crazy, but I enjoy a good run, it seems to take my mind off other things and allows me to focus on enjoying the outside environment. Other times, a quiet walk will calm me and take my mind off stressful situations. Sometimes I pray, you may find yoga, and even meditation can help ease you down after a stressful period.
Resiliency is not a one and done process. Finding what works for you and sticking with it is essential on those days when the fastball stressors come across the plate, and you strikeout. Do not let the next trip to the batter's box bring you down.
From one Airmen to another, practice your resiliency skills every day and find what works for you. Moreover, if that is not enough, reach out to your lifelines and tell them you need a little help, asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. As Dr. Charles F. Stanley said, "No one has ever been called to "go it alone" in his or her walk of faith."
If you would like further information or need assistance feel free to access the following website Air Force Resilience: https://www.resilience.af.mil/