Let’s try a little thought experiment, shall we?

Are you ready? Yes?

Okay good. I want you to think back on a time that was one of the most CHALLENGING things you’ve ever been through. The hardest thing you’ve ever done. Something SO hard you weren’t sure you’d actually make it through to the other side. In fact, maybe you even thought you WOULDN’T make it through, and even now you might not be sure how you did survive it.

Do you have one? If you don’t, I want you to sit and think about it until you’ve got one.

Got it? Okay.

Now, write down at least three things that helped you get through it. Go on, write it down. You’ll need it in a minute.

It’s okay, I’ll wait.

Got all three?

Now take a look at what you wrote down. What kinds of things did you write down? Was it the support of a friend or loved one? The guidance of a counselor, mentor, or spiritual advisor? Sheer willpower and determination? A shift in perspective––to focus on the positive or even a specific mantra? Alcohol?   Coffee?   Vats of ice cream? Simply the knowledge that you must go on, come what may?

All these things are called resources, and we draw on them constantly, through minor trials and through the greatest adversity we ever face.

The more resources you have, and the more easily you can draw on them, the better your chances are of facing difficulty with resilience.

There’s no promise that life won’t be hard.

There’s no promise that challenge won’t change you. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes not.

It is resilience––these resources, both internal and external––that can help get you through. Our challenges do not have to define us. But they can reveal us.

Very soon, you’ll see some new things come from us at The SOLD Project and we’re excited to show you what we’ve been up to.

In the meantime…you see those three things you wrote down?

Please share them. This conversation might be more important––healing and inspiring to those who need it––now than ever. Post your responses in the comments on the link to this post on our Facebook page and then tag friends you think might be interested to do the same. Share and spread the word!