First of all what does it mean? A befitting description and its’ challenges:

Definition of resilience:
The capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress.
An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

I will have some tips at the end on how to develop resilience, but first let us examine what is involved:

1. Survival:
The fact you are reading this shows you are resilient because you have endured the winter months and perhaps, have had a cold and felt like you were struggling. By the way, this also happens in the animal kingdom. Many animals, large and small, perish in the harsh winter weather, for lack of shelter and food. Some do survive and make it to spring where the weather is mild, food a plenty and life is full of beautiful flowers. Butterflies come out of their cocoons. You, my dear, survived. That is what makes you resilient!

Valentine’s is here again and this year I would like to reflect on another aspect of love.

A group of friends and I were discussing the love aspect of Valentine’s. The conversation moved on to what to give our loved ones and then, we started to explore what we received from our loved ones. It is this receiving and giving aspect of “Love” that made the conversation move to what each one of us valued about the love aspect of a Valentine’s gift.

One explained that she does not need a reminder that is made up. Just because it’s now become a big industry to give someone you love something on Valentine’s, is it more meaningful than a rose given at another time? chocolate? hug? kiss? or something else? Do we need a reminder to tell a loved one we love them? or for them to affirm their love?