One of my favorite words in the English language is resilience. Merriam-Webster defines resilience as:
1: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress;
2: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
When I think of resilience, I think of myself and other patients facing lifelong illness-related issues. Resilience is the perfect word to describe what traits we possess without using words like strength, which are too commonplace and far less meaningful.
Here are a few of my favorite resilience quotes – enjoy!
“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”
-Carl Jung
“My scars remind me that I did indeed survive my deepest wounds. That in itself is an accomplishment. And they bring to mind something else, too. They remind me that the damage life has inflicted on me has, in many places, left me stronger and more resilient. What hurt me in the past has actually made me better equipped to face the present.”
-Steve Goodier
“Resilience is, of course, necessary for a warrior. But a lack of empathy isn’t.”
-Phil Klay
“Resilience is very different than being numb. Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But, you keep going.”
-Yasmin Mogahed
“Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles.”
-Alex Karras
“Though she be but little, she is fierce!”
-William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
-Margaret Thatcher
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”
-Nelson Mandela
“It takes courage to grow up & become who you really are.”
-E.E. Cummings
What are some of your favorite quotes?
I really love the E.E. Cummings quote 🙂
Another one of my favorites is: "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming."
Have a good rest of your week!