Sacred Strength: Resiliency & Rising Through Life’s Challenges
For me, the world around me feels increasingly unpredictable—whether through natural disasters, global crises, loss, or career edges—resilience has been at the top of mind in recent weeks.
It really landed for me while watching the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Life can present unfathomable challenges that test the very core of our being. Resiliency is the bridge that allows us to rise, adapt, and move forward with strength and purpose, even in the face of immense hardship.
Over the weekend, I reflected on resiliency with my family, and it struck me how much my own journey has been shaped by resilience. Ten years ago, the life I’m living now—a life full of joy, love, and alignment—felt like an impossible dream. Through career changes, divorce, and a multitude of family dynamics, resilience became my anchor, clearing the path for me to grow stronger and wiser.
What is Resiliency?
The American Psychological Association defines resiliency as “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
For me, resilience is more than bouncing back— it is intentionally moving forward. It’s the sacred act of rising, determination, and adapting with strength and grace.
“Resiliency is the sacred act of rising, determination, and adapting with strength and grace.”
– Bonnie Hazen
Resiliency is more than a tool—it is an energetic frequency. It’s the alchemy of taking life’s difficulties and transmuting them into growth, wisdom, and purpose. It challenges us to ask, How can this experience shape me in a purposeful way? Resiliency can transform pain into purpose and invites us to adapt (or even embrace) life’s lessons, even when complicated.
I’ve had a special love of the Rising Phoenix for decades, and when I’m in moments of deep and challenging resilience, I visualize the Phoenix that emerges renewed from its ashes.
As we navigate this dynamic era, resiliency can be our bridge—a sacred act to align with our higher selves and the greater cosmic flow of life.
How can this experience shape me in a purposeful way?
– Bonnie Hazen
The Importance of Resiliency
Resilience is not about dismissing pain or hardship, nor does it suggest that trauma, inequities, or crises are deserved. Instead, it’s about reclaiming your life from the grip of adversity. Studies show that those who cultivate resilience experience greater life satisfaction, better mental and physical health, and increased success in both personal and professional arenas.
As we navigate a world that can feel chaotic and uncertain—be it the aftermath of a wildfire, shifts in political landscapes, or personal challenges—building resilience is vital. It’s not about ignoring the external storms but standing strong and grounded amidst them.
Practices to Cultivate Resilience
Resiliency is like a muscle—it grows stronger with consistent practice. Here are five practices that have been transformative in my own journey:
- Morning Reflection Time: Create a sacred space each morning to reflect, set intentions, and reconnect with your inner self. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, use this time to journal about challenges, celebrate wins, and align yourself with your day’s purpose.
- Mindfulness and Grounding: Practices like meditation, nature walks, or simply sitting in silence can help you stay grounded. Mindfulness brings clarity and calm, allowing you to navigate challenges with grace.
- Reframing the Narrative: Shift your perspective from victimhood to empowerment. The world isn’t fair. We all have unique lessons and experiences—each offering growth and evolution opportunities. We cannot control the experiences life brings us, but we can control our responses.
- Creative and Artistic Outlets: Drawing, painting, writing, or other creative endeavors can help process emotions and envision a new future.
- Community Connection: Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. A strong support system is vital—life is not meant to be navigated alone.
If you have experienced profound loss, such as the loss of a home, loved one, or trauma. Here are some deeper practices tailored to those navigating the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience or loss.
- Focus on Immediate Needs and Safety: Prioritize your basic needs. Ensure access to food, shelter, and medical care. Seek local support services or disaster relief organizations to stabilize the basics.
- Create a Routine: Establishing even a small routine can create a sense of normalcy and control.
- Grief Acknowledgment and Processing: Grieving is essential. Journaling, therapy, or joining a grief support group can provide outlets for processing these emotions. Trauma counseling or crisis intervention services can be invaluable in navigating overwhelming emotions.
- Connect with Loved Ones: Reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and your support community to rebuild a sense of belonging and stability.
- Rebuild in Small Steps: Break down the rebuilding process into small manageable tasks and celebrate small wins. Acknowledge each accomplishment, no matter how small—it builds momentum and resilience.
- Body-Based Practices: Practices like trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, and/or somatic practices can help release stored stress and promote physical well-being. Adequate sleep and nutrition are essential during high-stress and traumatic experiences.
Learning from Resilience
A few books have deeply shaped my understanding of resilience. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl is my favorite, and I’ve read it numerous times. Viktor shares a profound exploration of finding purpose even in immense suffering. His approach is a philosophical and psychological perspective on resiliency, and his book is unmatched in depth and humanity.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
– Viktor E. Frankl
“Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness” by Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson. This book blends neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness to develop resilience as a trait rather than just a response to challenges. I love the actionable strategies to cultivate inner strength, calm, and emotional balance.
“The Power of TED (The Empowerment Dynamic)” by David Emerald is another excellent book for fostering resilience, especially in the context of mindset and interpersonal dynamics. While it’s not solely about resilience, it provides an empowering framework to shift from reactive, drama-fueled responses to proactive, resilient behaviors.
Reflection on Your Own Resilience
The path to resilience is not about bypassing pain but about integrating its lessons into a higher purpose. It’s about recognizing that you are both human and divine—capable of navigating the storms of life with grace and power.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on your own resilience. Grab a journal and consider this question:
“If I could imagine my future self thriving after this moment, what wisdom or encouragement might she/he/they share with me now?”
Resiliency is not just about enduring or surviving; it is intentionally and with determination thriving. It’s about staying aligned with your authenticity and higher self regardless of the world around you.
May we all find the strength to rise like the Phoenix, adapt, and create beauty amid life’s challenges. I gift these words of prayer to you and hope they offer resiliency grounded in love and light.
“I am resilient and easily adaptable. It is safe to be in joy. I transmute fear and doubt into safety and trust.”
– Bonnie Hazen
May we collectively radiate resilience and fearlessly pursue our passions and purpose for the highest good of all.
Photo by: Bonnie (Oberholtzer Foundation, Rainy Lake, MN)
With cosmic love,
Bonnie