Keep Going
Keep Growing
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
Resilience:
The Power to Keep Going
Creating better conversations around hard topics is a noble goal—but let’s be real, it’s not always going to be easy. In fact, it’s often the opposite. There will be moments of frustration, misunderstandings, and even conflict. But here’s the good news: resilience is your secret weapon. It’s the ability to keep moving forward, even when the path gets tough.
Resilience isn’t just about enduring the challenges—it’s about embracing them as part of the journey. This means having the patience to listen, even when it’s hard; the courage to speak your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable; and the forgiveness to let go of hurt feelings, both towards others and yourself.
Patience:
The Long Game
Building meaningful dialogue takes time. You won’t always get through to someone in a single conversation. It might take weeks, months, or even years. Patience is about recognizing that change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about staying committed to the process, even when progress feels slow. Think of every respectful conversation as planting a seed. It may take time to grow, but with patience, it can eventually blossom into understanding.
Courage:
Stepping into the Uncomfortable
It takes real courage to engage in difficult conversations, especially when the stakes are high. Courage means stepping out of your comfort zone and being willing to have those hard talks, even when you’re afraid of being misunderstood or rejected. It’s about speaking your truth, but also about being open to hearing truths that might challenge you. Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the determination to move forward in spite of it.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
Forgiveness:
Letting Go to Move Forward
In the heat of tough discussions, mistakes will be made—by you and by others. Maybe you said something you regret, or perhaps someone else did. Forgiveness is essential. It’s about letting go of grudges and moving forward with a clean slate. This isn’t just about forgiving others; it’s about forgiving yourself, too. Holding onto guilt or resentment only weighs you down. Let it go, learn from it, and keep going.
Adaptability:
Rolling with the Punches
Conversations, especially tough ones, don’t always go as planned. People react differently, emotions can run high, and outcomes can be unpredictable. Adaptability is about being flexible and adjusting your approach as needed. Maybe the discussion veers off course or becomes more heated than you expected. Instead of getting stuck, adapt. Change tactics, reframe the conversation, or even take a break if needed. Being adaptable means you’re ready to handle whatever comes your way.
The Journey Ahead
In this journey of creating better conversations, resilience is your companion. It’s about understanding that you’re not striving for perfection, but for progress. There will be setbacks, but each one is an opportunity to learn and grow. Resilience means knowing that every conversation, no matter how difficult, is a step towards building a more respectful and understanding world. Keep going, even when it’s tough. Because the journey is worth it.