How do you stay resilient in hard times?

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Coincidentally, I was watching The Day After Tomorrow when this writing prompt popped up.

My answer to why I am resilient is simpler than you’d think.

Just like Jack Hall does the impossible to save his son, I maintain resilience because my family relies on me and pushes me to do so.

The movie exaggerates a lot, but I completely understand what it means to be pushed forward by loved ones to achieve the impossible.

Motivating factors

Family is a simple answer for me because I know that I did not get to where I am on my own.

I mean how would you feel if your parents told you that they did the impossible to get you to your position?

Undergoing stressful situations, putting their life in danger and moving to a new country to put you in front of opportunities.

My dad shares terrifying stories about how he had to survive. He had to go to extremes just to make it another day.

So when life throws a challenge at me, it is tiny by comparison.

I wrote more about what he is going through now in Overcoming Hardships: All in God’s Hands.

If it wasn’t for him taking that chance I would not be sitting here writing blogs about my life.

Much less in a situation where I could work from home and spend time with my sons because I was blessed with the opportunity to get an education.

So how do I stay resilient?

I think of how far my family got me by sacrificing so much.

Money is tight? I will find a way to push forward because I know it is in my blood to survive.

There is an opportunity but it’s completely different to what I do.

No problem, I will do what it takes to learn it.

When I say I am a Brandon (Jack) of all trades, I am not kidding.

I have fixed AC units, fixed plumbing issues, worked construction, fixed computer issues, replaced brakes and rotors, while having a degree in Information Systems. All achieved by staying open-minded and willing to keep learning.

If my dad could show up in a completely new country and find a way to convince people that he could take on any landscaping or construction jobs, while not knowing how to do the job in the first place (crazy right?), and then successfully completing projects anyways, then how could I not learn a new process, tool or new DIY project?

Closing thought

I would say resilience comes down to showing up, even when it’s hard.

My dad kept showing up even when his foot was infected to the bone. Working walking-intensive, hard labor jobs through the intense pain.

Meanwhile still putting a smile on his face to avoid getting us worried.

If you haven’t read it, I wrote about the day he finally told me he couldn’t.

My answer will always be family.

I would do anything for my two boys, wife and family, even go as far as Jack did, taking any catastrophe head on.

Why?

’Cause I know the people who got me here had the same hope and tenacity pushing them forward as I do now.

What keeps you going when things get hard? Share in the comments!

As always, thank you for reading.