Grit.
Grit and resilience. (Read on: this has a twist.)
These qualities are now widely spoken about, especially with reference to our adolescents.
Grit and resilience give us the ability to bounce back when Life throws us stuff we don't want.
They're qualities we want.
Yet, I'm discomforted by the term Grit. I worry that it sends a message to do more of the stoic Kiwi/Aussie "tough it out" approach. All qualities carry positives and negatives and our 'Tough' does create top athletes, top research scholars, and highly resilient people. However, for our inner Self, 'tough' isn't serving us well.
Our mutually horrifying suicide statistics speak to something at the heart of our Kiwi/Aussie culture that just isn't working.
I see a strong and distressing correlation between our mutually tough cultures and our suicide rates. We are so used to presenting a sunny "She'll be right!" "No Worries!" disposition that we are often not able to honestly share our inner pain.
So, I suggest a new path to achieve Grit and Resilience.
Embracing our vulnerability will allow inner honesty. Embracing vulnerability strengthens our connection with our Self. Embracing vulnerability allows others to truly and deeply connect with us.
And so, through vulnerability, we will, paradoxically, achieve inner resilience.
Over the next few posts, I plan to explore the paradox of vulnerability as the key to true strength. Pop in and see how the conversation is going.
And do join in with your insight.
What are your thoughts about vulnerability as a way to achieve inner strength? Do you have a different perspective?
Arohanui
Contact me: Lorraine Dodd: Counsellor in Howick, Auckland 0221 874 057, through the contact section http://lorrainedodd.wix.com/lorraine-dodd by email nurturinghope@gmail.com or Private Message me through Facebook
