Developing a Spirit of Resilience

Developing a Spirit of Resilience

This article concludes Nel ABC’s three-part series exploring key pillars of success in life and business. If you missed them, check out the earlier pieces:

• The Importance of Having a Heart of Service in Business

• The Importance of Feeding Your Imagination

Introduction

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela

Life is a journey, often unpredictable and challenging. Reflecting on my three-week trek through the Himalayas in 2008, I’ve come to see it as a metaphor for life’s ups and downs. Each day’s journey between villages—some shorter, others grueling—mirrors the path we tread in life and business. Along the way, I encountered two types of trekkers: those fixated solely on reaching their destination and those savoring the journey.

The Himalayas demand physical and mental fortitude. Each village lies approximately 300 meters (approx 984ft) higher than the last, but the terrain forces steep descents before the exhausting ascents. This constant up-and-down can be demoralizing. Yet, like life, the key is to embrace the detours and setbacks as part of the journey.

Lessons in Resilience

On one particularly difficult day, I faced a long trek to a distant village. Hours in, I met a returning trekker who warned me, “If you’re here at this time, you can’t make it to the village anymore; you need to turn back and try again tomorrow.” His words were crushing. Facing the reality of potential exposure if I continued, I reluctantly turned back. It felt like a wasted day. But the next morning, starting before dawn, I reached the village before sundown. The sight of the village, after the hardship, remains vivid even now. That ‘wasted’ day taught me patience, persistence, and the value of embracing setbacks as preparation for success.

Another lesson came from the well-trodden paths filled with yak droppings. Opting for less-used trails meant tougher, rockier terrain but avoided the mess. The takeaway? Every path comes with its challenges; choose yours wisely and embrace its unique struggles.

Pain and Perspective

Despite the blisters from new boots and the physical toll, the experience lingers in my mind as a source of joy and strength. Our bodies forget pain, but our hearts remember triumphs. Seventeen years later, I still think of the mountains daily, yearning for their beauty and the clarity they brought.

“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.” — Maya Angelou

The Beauty of Kintsugi and Zanshin

The Japanese art of Kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—teaches that flaws and breaks are part of an object’s beauty. Similarly, life’s cracks and failures can become the golden threads of our personal stories, making us stronger and more valuable.

Equally profound is the philosophy of Zanshin, or “lingering mind,” from Japanese martial arts. Zanshin embodies mindfulness, readiness, and presence. Its principles can transform how we approach life:

1. Mindfulness: Pay full attention to the present moment, no matter how small the action.

2. Completion with Awareness: Savor the end of a task before rushing to the next.

3. Preparedness: Remain open to opportunities and challenges without anxiety.

4. Harmony in Actions: Immerse yourself fully in every act, from mundane tasks to significant decisions.

We all encounter failures in life and work, but it’s how we perceive and respond to them that shapes our growth and transformation. Every failure carries a lesson, and when you take the time to reflect on it, that lesson becomes something valuable you can share with others. No one can teach it better than you because it’s rooted in your unique journey.

The way you embrace and integrate these challenges into your life forms a golden thread, much like the art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold. Each crack tells a story, and the more challenges you’ve overcome, the more golden threads weave through your life, making it richer and more meaningful than if it had remained untested and untouched. The cup with lots of gold threads running through it is more valuable than a new cup fresh from the kiln.

Resilience in the Present

Often we regret our past and worry about our future. By living in the present and embracing the lessons these philosophies teach, we can navigate difficulties with grace. Rather than escaping into distractions like social media, we find meaning and strength in our challenges.

Does any part of this article resonate with you? Share your experiences in resilience—I’d love to hear from you. Subscribe to our newsletter for more business insights, and I’ll see you next week.

Warm regards,

Alex Tan

Founder, Nel AI Business Consultancy