How People Learn to Become Resilient Article


The idea of looking at ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and a person learning resiliency or losing resiliency is one that I think about and study every day in REACH.  How is resiliency learned and grown?  How can is be lessened?  Why can the same traumatic event affect two individuals differently?  The idea of PTEs (Potentially Traumatic Events) is interesting when looking at different reactions to similar stressors.  Will an event be traumatic or not, and why?  The types of trauma and stressors present are important, but so is their degree and frequency.

When looking at how resilient someone is, both luck and choice come into play.  For the most part, how one is wired is luck.  The family we are born into is luck.   Up to a certain age, our environement is luck.  Having a teacher or friend who is a good role model might be luck.  At a young age, the things that happen to and around us are luck, and we have very little control over them.

BUT...

Choice is very important when looking at resiliency.  One has the choice to see trauma, stress, struggles and setbacks as opportunities for growth.  One can choose how to view others and our situations as positive or negative.  One can seek out positive role models and positive groups such as sports teams to join.  One can choose to give up or keep trying despite the outcome.  One has the choice to find meaning in their life events.



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