Resilience in Uncertain Times: Finding Strength Amid Divisive Leadership

In Times of Division, How Do We Redefine Strength and Build Resilience Together? I want to know... ARE YOU OKAY?

As we move through a period of intense political division, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, it’s hard to ignore the collective anxiety in the air. The recent election has raised important questions about leadership, identity, and what it truly means to be strong. This fear-driven approach to power—marked by themes of revenge, dominance, and control—has created a climate that’s familiar to those who lived through similarly challenging times, like the AIDS crisis.

In understanding?how we got here, we can better navigate our own growth and resilience. By seeing the roots of today’s leadership dynamics and choosing new models for ourselves, we can redefine strength, find community, and foster inner peace, regardless of what’s happening outside of us.

1. How Did We Get Here?

The current political climate didn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of long-standing cultural patterns and beliefs about masculinity, power, and control. For decades, society has celebrated a version of masculinity that values stoicism, dominance, and control over empathy, collaboration, and understanding. This model, deeply embedded in leadership, has reinforced a view of strength as the power to control and silence rather than the ability to uplift and unite.

Periods of crisis—whether social, economic, or political—often push people to seek authority figures who project certainty. Throughout history, we’ve seen fear-driven leadership emerge as a response to the desire for stability, sometimes at the expense of compassion. Leaders who lean on fear and anger may promise strength, but they often foster division, using “us versus them” narratives that alienate vulnerable groups.

In the LGBTQ+ community, we know what it means to be sidelined by this kind of leadership. Those of us who came of age during the AIDS crisis saw this first hand under the Reagan administration, as the government chose denial over compassion, leaving many without support. Today, we’re seeing echoes of that painful era. But just as we did then, we have the choice to respond differently—to reject fear-based narratives and redefine strength as something more inclusive and humane.

2. Redefining Strength and Masculinity

Today’s political leaders may lean on fear, but we’re called to redefine strength for ourselves. True resilience isn’t about rigid control or dominance; it’s about cultivating inner peace, empathy, and adaptability. Real strength includes the courage to be vulnerable, to connect, and to collaborate.

This redefined strength includes:

• Vulnerability as Strength: Vulnerability allows us to connect with others authentically. Embracing it requires courage, but it opens the door to deeper relationships and a sense of belonging.
• Community and Collaboration: Strength is not a solo pursuit. By building connections with others, we create support systems that foster resilience. Our collective strength, built on shared experiences and mutual respect, is a powerful antidote to the isolation that fear-based leadership promotes.
• Accountability and Growth: Rather than projecting blame outward, true strength lies in self-reflection and growth. This approach allows us to respond to challenges with maturity and grace, reinforcing our sense of agency and purpose.

In choosing to redefine strength in these ways, we pave the way for a more balanced, compassionate understanding of leadership—both for ourselves and for the communities we support.

3. Cultivating Personal Growth in the Face of Fear

How, then, do we move forward? When we live in a world that often glorifies division and antagonism, it can be difficult to stay grounded in our own values. Here are a few ways to nurture resilience and personal growth, even when external circumstances feel uncertain or hostile:

• Focus on What You Can Control: In the midst of social and political unrest, our power lies in focusing on what we can shape within ourselves. Simple grounding practices, like mindful breathing or gratitude journaling, help us reclaim a sense of calm and stability. Even five minutes of intentional breathing can make a difference in how we respond to the day.
• Build Strong Community Connections: In uncertain times, our resilience grows through connection. Reach out to friends, family, or local LGBTQ+ support networks. Sharing experiences with others who understand creates a sense of solidarity and belonging, which acts as a buffer against external negativity. As history has shown, the LGBTQ+ community’s strength often lies in our ability to come together and support one another.
• Use Fear as Fuel for Positive Change: While fear can make us feel powerless, it can also motivate us to seek meaningful change. When channeled constructively, this energy can propel us toward advocacy, personal growth, and action. Consider how you can use your skills, passions, or voice to contribute to your community in positive ways.
• Cultivate Self-Compassion as Resistance: In a world that often questions our worth, self-compassion becomes a radical act of resilience. Being kind to ourselves, accepting our emotions, and allowing ourselves space to process is a form of inner strength that no external force can undermine. When self-doubt or negative self-talk arises, challenge it with affirmations that recognize your inherent value.
• Celebrate Small Wins: In times of crisis, acknowledging small victories can help us stay grounded and build momentum. Each act of self-care, each positive conversation, each moment of calm is a step toward a stronger, more resilient self. Tracking these small wins reinforces the mindset that we are capable and resilient, no matter the circumstances.

The Path Forward: Choosing Mature Leadership and Resilience

The political landscape may be turbulent, but we are not powerless. By understanding the roots of today’s climate, rejecting fear-based definitions of strength, and choosing personal growth over reaction, we become agents of change. The resilience we cultivate within ourselves becomes a model for others, showing that true strength is not about exerting control but about building unity and embracing compassion.

As we navigate these uncertain times, may we remember the power of community, the importance of kindness, and the courage it takes to grow. In redefining strength for ourselves, we become stronger together—and build a foundation of resilience that no leader, policy, or crisis can shake.

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About Cory Thorell

Cory is a certified life coach and NLP practitioner dedicated to helping individuals find resilience, clarity, and purpose, especially during challenging times. With a background in hypnotherapy, NLP, and transformative coaching, Cory offers compassionate guidance for those seeking personal growth and inner peace.

Connect with Cory Thorell:

• Website: www.corytimeCOACHING.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corythorell
• LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/cory-thorell/