RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

(In response to a couple of reasonable questions from a social media friend)

Q. William do you think the people of Syria or Yemen feel joy at a beautiful sunrise or sunset or is that ability to feel such things amputated by the atrocities that surround them?

I am sitting having my coffee, watching the colours in the early morning sky and planning my day! Can they plan? Do they plan or are they an example of the of the mindless psychology that is taking root in our society? Experience only the moment you are in!

A. Based on both experience, reading and my professional training as a counselor, I can assure you that people who are caught up in the rigors of war or some other traumatic environment maintain an appreciation for beautiful things, if only as a diversion from that with which they are contending the majority of the time. 

As an example, while shut up in the attic hiding place and with the realization that she and her family could be discovered and carted off to a concentration camp at any time, Anne Frank maintained hope that she might one day impact people with the written word, (which she ultimately did) and even fanaticized about a relationship with a young man with whom she shared the hiding place. And, of course, in more modern times you have the precious young lady from Afghanistan (Malala) who was attacked with acid for simply attending school, and who has gone on to be an outspoken critic of the Taliban, and (as I recall) has been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and has gone on to become an amazing speaker. In terms of appreciating that which is beautiful about them, I am certain this is not only possible for such people, but that it has regularly occurred from time immemorial.

In terms of planning, I believe this is also possible, but perhaps the majority of people in such conditions would find themselves emotionally stuck, and unable to maintain hope (which is, after all, the catalyst for the wherewithal to believe and prepare for future things). However, even with this particular variable, that of planning, the best and bravest and brightest have looked into and prepared for the future during the worst of times in expectation that such seasons would give way to what always ...comes next.

I think of the Polish Ghetto during WWII and how that any number of emaciated Jews refused to go down without a fight, and led an uprising against their Nazi captors; prior to the destruction of that awful place. Their unwillingness to just lay down and die, but rather, assemble in secret and make plans to break out of their imprisonment, attests to the courage and mental fortitude which such men had refused to relinquish; even in the face of adversity.

Having counseled literally thousands of men, women, boys and girls I have been exposed to every conceivable story and mindset, and there are some, many who wouldn't walk across a room if there was an answer to their dilemma on the other side of it. Many have been traumatized by the events and issues of life, and are just plain Stuck; with a capital 'S'. But in the midst of it all I have witnessed a refreshing resilience among some, and a willingness to keep "getting back up" each and every time life has knocked them down. Well, excuse my philosophizing, but I am hopeful my meandering provides a suitable answer to your questions.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 54. Copyright pending

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