Years ago I looked up the definition of resilience.

There’s actually a test educators use to measure it in kids who’ve faced trauma.

Yes… I took a version of the test.

You know. For fun.

There was even a score.

Apparently that score says something about me. I’m glad educators have the tool, for sure.

But here’s what we’ve learned since then:

Resilience isn’t a score.

It’s not a badge.
It’s not something we pass or fail.

It’s what shows up during life.

And it shows up stronger when we take notice of what we’ve learned along the way.

During the good stuff. And the bad.

If we’re still standing…
still loving…
still trying…

We’re already doing better than we think.

So let’s set the test aside. And the score.

And agree on this:

Who we are is earned.

And what we’ve earned is ours to use
to make the rest of our life something we’re proud of.

~dom