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Nurturing Resilience:
Get a Bounce Back Attitude
By Sheri McGregor

Several months ago, a little black poodle named Kiki joined our home. She tried to fit in with our two grown poodles who immediately ignored her.  

But Kiki didn't let their brush-offs faze her. She went right on being her happy-go-lucky self, believing they wanted to play with her, be her friend, and let her join their exclusive group. When they growled, Kiki came back for more. When they ignored her, she continued to wag her tail and try to play. Eventually, they accepted her.

At six months old, I still see that bounce-back attitude in Kiki's demeanor. She's proven herself far more laid back and resilient to the goings on in our busy household than the poodle brothers ever were.

Regardless, even Kiki has her limits. Sometimes, she needs a safe lap or to curl up in a warm corner to re-energize.

What About Us?
As mothers, we try to create a healthy environment that fosters security and self-esteem in our children, but what about for ourselves? Stress affects even the most grounded adult, and every life includes it.

We all need a safe place to rest and re-energize from the rat race. A restful home where we feel loved and wanted can nurture a more buoyant spirit, even for adults. A variety of positive experiences and influences, and a peaceful home base can do wonders toward a bounce-back attitude.  

Using the tips below, start today to build or enhance an environment that fosters resilience like Kiki's. Give yourself the nurturing atmosphere you may or may not have had as a child. As adults, we need to learn to mother ourselves. No matter what our age, each of us needs a little TLC now and again. In pursuing our dreams, we're likely to encounter rejection and stress along the way. Wouldn't a bounce back attitude help us persist?

Tips to Nurture our own Resilience:

Develop relationships based on love, support, and trust. Make time for positive relationships that help you feel good about yourself. Drop the negative ones.

Focus on your strengths and build on them. If you don't know what they are, contemplate then make a list. Need clues? Ask a supportive friend what she admires most about you (the answers may surprise you!).

When feelings of inadequacy creep in, find ways to improve in that area, even one tiny step at a time. Moving forward, even at a snail's pace, is better than wallowing in the paralysis of self-pity. Forward momentum, no matter how slight, builds the belief that anything can be overcome.

Find opportunities to use your abilities in a rewarding atmosphere. This may mean volunteering for a good cause, helping out in your child's classroom, or participating in some other activity -- paid or volunteer -- where you can feel like you make a difference. These good feelings permeate the rest of your life, and give you a positive frame of reference when something gets you down.

Enjoy!

All material on the www.motherswhodream.com website is copyrighted
by Sheri McGregor and may not be reproduced without express permission.