Wishing You a Resilient Christmas

It's been a tough year. Not only for us here at Winner Partnership and Money Intelligence (we have problems too!) but for many people I know (clients and non clients). I don't know about you but I will be glad to say goodbye to 2017 in couple of weeks and plan for a great year in 2018. 

I have been thinking the past two weeks what message I would like to leave you with before the year ends. In light of a few sad and hard luck stories I have heard this year (attempted suicide, suicide, nervous breakdown, death of a child, death of parents, failed investment, failed business venture), I would like to leave you with my thoughts on resilience. 

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling. But in rising every time we fall." Nelson Mandela 

If we want to build resilience, just reading quotes by famous and strong leaders is not enough. We need to model them and build our resilience just like they did/do. Our modern society is feeding us a lie fuelled by consumerism that life should be going smooth. Every consumer ad is feeding us this illusion (don't you love those car ads with the happy guy and girl going on a road trip? They never show us them fighting in the car. But that's what we do in real life, don't we?!). 

The truth is that life is tough, unfair and is constantly throwing obstacles at us. Most of us have had challenging childhoods no matter which socio-economic backgrounds we come from. I have never heard anyone tell me their childhood was 100% happy. Most of us are not taught how to be resilient neither at home nor at school. 

So how do we build resilience? 

We can't build resilience without spiritual growth, without meditation, prayer or taking a walk in nature. The spiritual world as opposed to our materialistic world gives us access to the truth, and the truth is that we are all mortal. There is an expiry date for all of us. Just remembering our mortality could put things in perspective within seconds. Remembering what's really important in life: love, family, friendships, connection, solidarity, nature, our earth and overcoming self limiting beliefs that we were fed in our childhood. 

"Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued" Brene Brown

If we take the time to access this spiritual realm, the pain from past experiences, loss, loneliness and despair will melt away by the power that we get to access within our being. This power can smash negative thoughts, envy, disempowerment and hopelessness.

Every day we are challenged to rise above this materialistic and "logical" world. The cult of the individual is keeping us separated from each other. Hence the despair and isolation and in some cases taking of one's life.

There are so many people you can reach out to. Don't spend this Christmas and New Year break by yourself with your own thoughts. Share your feelings, share your thoughts. You would be surprised to know that so many people have their own problems and challenges. Find your tribe and the people who will embrace and support you. The power within rises to meet you when you're connected to yourself and to others. Once you connect, you will see that the illusion is the fear that's keeping you chained. Let the fear go...

So I leave you with my last quote for 2017:

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible" Christopher Reeves 

I wish you a connected and resilient Christmas and New Year.