IF you could only be more resilient…

“If” by Rudyard Kipling is a poem that speaks to the human spirit and the resilience that lies within us all. For me, it’s very close to my heart because it was “passed on" to me by my father, and the same to my father by his. There was no gushy memento or anything, but I’ll always treasure it. It goes like this:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream — and not make dreams your master;

If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

The poem gives advice on how to be strong and keep a good attitude no matter what is going on. One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that resilience is something that can be learned and developed, and that it's more than just a great quality to have; it’s a virtue that will set you apart and help you conquer any obstacle and achieve any goal, no matter the adversity.

Contrary to popular belief, we live in a time when, in some ways, we have it easier than previous generations. We tend to be more fragile, hence the term “crystal generation." That doesn’t mean we don’t struggle or that everything is provided easily, but resilience seems to be decreasing with each passing generation.

Mental health is now more accepted as a health issue than it was in the past. This is because more people are becoming aware of and learning about mental health conditions and how they can affect people and society as a whole. People are now more likely to seek help for mental health issues, and there is less stigma associated with doing so.

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. In the United States, an estimated 20% of adults have a mental illness, and nearly 50% of adults will develop at least one mental illness during their lifetime. Mental health disorders are also a leading cause of disability worldwide.

These numbers show how important it is to talk about mental health and how much more help and resources people with mental health problems need. As more research is done and more is learned about what causes and how to treat mental health conditions, the trend of more people seeing mental health as a health issue is likely to continue.

This is why resilience is one of the most important qualities to have if you want to live a healthy life and keep a positive attitude, even when bad things happen. Resilient individuals are able to see the silver lining in difficult situations, and to find meaning and purpose in the challenges they face. They can also keep a sense of control even when things aren't clear and take the initiative to deal with problems and challenges.

Being resilient isn't something you can choose, but the first step to building a more resilient mindset and making a positive change in your life is to recognize that you need to set up systems and take action. There are a few key action points to keep in mind:

1. Practice self-awareness: Understand your own triggers for stress and anxiety, and take steps to address them in a proactive manner.
2. Build a support system: Surround yourself with people you can turn to in times of need, whether it be friends, family, or a therapist.
3. Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote mental and physical well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling.
4. Learn to manage your thoughts: Practice cognitive-behavioral techniques to reframe negative thoughts and develop a more positive outlook.
5. Learn to set boundaries: Learn to say no when you need to, and prioritize your own needs and well-being.
6. Learn from failures: Instead of dwelling on failures, learn from them and use them as opportunities for growth and development.
7. Practice gratitude: Take time to appreciate the good things in your life, and focus on the positive aspects of difficult situations.
8. Learn to be flexible: Be open to change and adaptable to new situations, rather than getting stuck in rigid ways of thinking.
9. Prioritize sleep and rest: Sleep and rest are essential for resilience and overall well-being. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep and rest each day.
10. Practice mindfulness: Cultivate a sense of mindfulness and presence in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.