Don't Fall Apart When Things Fall Apart

Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay, "Self Reliance," led to some good conversations in class this week. We covered a lot of ground, but the theme of building resilience took primary focus.

Stuff is going to fall apart in our lives, but that doesn't mean we have to. We should maintain the habit of putting ourselves—intentionally—in situations that will challenge us in healthy ways, even if there's a good chance of failure. Maybe even better if there is that good chance, because that's when we get stronger.

Then, when things falls apart—and things will inevitably fall apart, sometimes in terrifying, painful ways—there's a better chance we won't fall apart ourselves.

#resilience #selfreliance #Emerson #Transcendentalists #endurance #strength