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We all admire resilient people. People who overcome severe and extreme difficulties to emerge successful. Individuals who when they set their eyes on something, they never stop until the task is done regardless of the number of obstacles they find on their way. They assemble all the energies in their arsenal, which enables them to overcome what would be seen as unsurmountable challenges. Their will power is just out of this world.
We have seen students who work at night as security guards and report to school in the morning after hawking milk in several towns using a bicycle in the wee hours of the morning. We have seen students walk from Kibera slums to this university and go back after classes to do menial jobs to earn a living and pay their college fees. In the midst of all these struggles, they miss exams, differ studies to an indefinite future, go to seek for casual jobs but they are never deterred. They still keep the faith. They never give up. Somehow, they find themselves back in class after some years, work harder, finish school, get employment and gradually stand on their feet. They beat the odds, bounce back from adversities and thrive to the amazement of all of us. These are amazing people!
The world over is dotted with individuals who failed so many times but still persevered to become successful later in life. My all time favourite is Thomas Edison who failed more than 10,000 times to invent a commercially viable electric light bulb. His teachers had described him as “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest innovators ever, having 1,093 patents to his name. Oprah Winfrey also had a rocky start in life being a daughter of a low income teenage mother. She lived in poor conditions and was sexually abused at the age 9 by her cousin, uncle and family friend. She got pregnant at the age of 14 years. Her life only changed when she went to live with her father. Today, she is one of the richest women on earth. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba could be one of the richest people on earth today, but was born of a poor family. He failed entrance exam to college several times. Getting work was not easy as he was rejected more than a dozen times. Although he started an Internet company, he had neither computer nor coding skills and no capital to start the business. But his turning point came when he gathered 17 of his friends in his apartment and convinced them to invest in his vision for an online marketplace he called "Alibaba."
There is a lot we can learn from these astonishing individuals. These kind of resilient individuals have some common traits: They have a realistic optimism, self-control that helps them avoid distractions and they are ready to face their fears. They also possess a strong will power and a positive mind-set. They also look up to some resilient role models and they are physically and psychologically fit and more importantly, they live focused lives.
How can we navigate through resilience issues? First, it is important to appreciate that all of us have the potential to become resilient. Most of us can overcome adversity and achieve good outcomes. Instructively, having a strong belief in something that we aspire for is important as it helps foster resilience. Having a positive emotional intelligence is also necessary as it helps us understand ourselves, others and our world and know how to use the scarce resources available to help us thrive. It also helps us to appreciate that life comes with challenges and setbacks, which can however be overcome.
We must however be careful with what we do or tell others as it can change someone’s life forever. Therefore, empowering others either in deeds or in words is of utmost importance. Whenever we come across these extraordinary individuals, let us love them, be on their side, support them – so that they can believe in themselves and develop self-esteem that would enable them face their challenges with ease. They also need role models, critical thinking and life skills to arm themselves for this battle called life. Let us all embrace resilience to unleash our potential in our own individual capacity.
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