Embodying Resilience ā Practicing
Last month we explored practicing resistance. This month we are looking at practicing resilience. Just as resistance work takes practice so does building resilience.
I have been practicing social work for over fifty years. A good social worker not only works directly with marginalized and vulnerable people but also engages actively in social justice work. Without social justice action the systems which create marginalized and vulnerable people continue. Frankly, after fifty years of this work, I am tired. I am discouraged that I must keep repeating the same social justice actions over and over. What I did in the 60s and 70s to protest injustice Iām still doing today. It never ends! I am more than ready for the Mill? and Gen Z generations too take up the fight.
I rely on my practices of resilience to keep up the resistance. Perhaps some of these practices will work for you.
Accept that I will die without seeing an end to injustice in our world.
Appreciate the small steps I can make toward effecting social change.
Engage in self-expression and emotional venting through my writing.
Exercise most every part of my body daily.
Listen to calming sounds especially while sleeping.
Prioritize and focus on only a few social justice issues and actions so as not to become overwhelmed.
Allow myself to be angry at injustice and yell at the news on the television.
Celebrate the wins even if they are small.
ā Submitted by Marcia Swift