Phillis Stacy-Brooks

My resilience came from my amazing Dad. He never gave up, no matter how challenging the circumstances were. And gratefully, that was passed on to me. I’m not saying it’s been easy to stay strong and keep moving forward. But having faith, preserving, and adapting to circumstances has never failed me, and that I would always be alright has proven to be true. Money was very tight when I became a single mom of twin boys. Read More>>

Davee Tucker

Where my resilience comes from is growing up around a bunch of people who were nothing like me and I wanted to be nothing like. It was very rare to have role models. It honestly makes you hard bodied, over time. However, if I could credit anyone it would be my mom. She really got after it in making sure we had what we needed growing up. Read More>>

Ann Selene

My resilience comes from observing outcomes and having big dreams. I have also watched others. It is one of those things, where over time (and this was a hard lesson to learn) you realize how much you are truly in control of your reality. I began to see how the way that we speak to ourselves, the way we perceive things can shape the world around us. Read More>>

Daniel Knudsen

No matter how much we might try to avoid the reality of life, sooner or later we realize that it is not easy to be human. Facing some very difficult challenges early on as a young child helped prepare me for the challenges I face today. I think one of the biggest things that has helped me become more resilient is realizing that; though the pain is real – the amount of suffering is a choice that I play a major role in. Once we realize that we play a role in our own suffering, we can play a role in our own healing. Directing our focus towards thankfulness and gratitude is one of the best ways to change the way we see the world around us. This has really helped me with the trials that I face. When the negative energy comes knocking, don’t lean into it. Read More>>

Creature Hii

I get my resilience from my Father. I was heavy set growing up and that bothered him. He didn’t care about my appearance he cared about me losing experiences that other kids have. So i was forced to do every sport and even marathons with him. Eventually no matter what size i was , i was able to do any sport i was thrown in. That definitely gave me the strength to say i can do anything i really want to do, and bounce back fast. Read More>>

Li Xinyue Elaine

In fact, I don’t heavily rely on my inner resilience to cope with the demands of work and life. Instead, I employ a range of simple and enjoyable methods to recharge my spirits. However, I happen to be someone who can easily feel drained, so I have some cost-effective ways of self-restoration. Typically, when I’m feeling particularly exhausted, I treat myself to a delightful meal or indulge in some sporadic online shopping, purchasing inexpensive items as little gifts to myself. If I’ve just completed a project that has taken a toll on my energy, I might need several days of uninterrupted sleep. During this time, I sleep without regard to day or night, eat lightly until my brain fully awakens, and then prepare a sumptuous meal. Afterward, I unwind by watching entertaining TV shows or YouTube videos. Read More>>

Lela Shahrzad Welch

Haha, I don’t see myself as resilient. But I suppose I am, in a way. But so many people are resilient– far more resilient than me. But it’s only by looking back without judgment that I can see it in myself. A lot of that resilience is made possible by privilege and fear. That’s the waning nihilist in me. I think having two opposing ideas living in your brain is OK. It’s OK to acknowledge the dark. I can’t recognize the good without it. But I don’t judge it. Read More>>

Micael Elrod

A couple of years ago I had a really difficult time grappling with my abilities, purpose, and general life as an artist, The eleven months leading up to that time I had applied to at least ten different calls for art, fellowships, grants, and other opportunities an artist would apply for. My goal had been to work towards doing art full time and supporting myself through selling my work and grant or fellowship opportunities. I got rejection letters from all but one, the one that I thought maybe my work had a real chance at. Then one day I opened my email and found that final rejection. Read More>>

Adrian Thomas

I truly believe being consistent plays a big role in my resilience.

I understand it’s easier said than done, but there’s something special about applying yourself and working toward goals daily.

The small wins generated confidence and allowed me to stay motivated, no matter the situation. Read More>>

Jane Powers

I get my resilence from my family. I am proud to be Korean American and I want my life to honor all the generations that came before me. We often forget that we have it much better than those who lived before us. I am grateful for all the opportunities and resources I have to succeed in this life. Read More>>

Becki Chesnes

I developed resilience over time throughout my development as a musician. The process of learning a musical instrument, or any craft, teaches you to fail small over and over. And because you gain a lot of practice at the small failures, the big failures are already well rehearsed, just bigger. Read More>>

Britny Horton

“Red yellow, blue, and pink, and green. Purple. Orange. Blue. I can see the rainbow, pretty rainbow pretty as you.”

This is the song that my mother would to sing to me with beautiful brown eyes and a gorgeous smile that lit up the room. I remember being memorized by the soft melodies of her voice, the smoothness of her skin, and the piercing sound of her laughter. She was a Barbie doll. Beautiful, flawless, strong, and sadly rigid. Read More>>

Marsha Parker

This is a great question. I would say the primary place where I gained resilience is from the position of my spiritual inheritance which is also a part of my familial inheritance as well. This passage is foundational for me, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” From an early age there have been many challenges, struggles and moments of grief. Read More>>

Naomi Volain

My resilience comes from my past and present. Tragedy, challenge and hardship push me forward. My mother died when I was 12, a pivotal time for a young person. She was smart and creative; I treasured our mother/daughter relationship. Her absence has impacted my life – I’ve worked to take care of myself – to a fault – so I wouldn’t have to rely on anyone, since I felt so abandoned. Read More>>

Shauna Jackson

I have always been a fairly optimistic and determined person. I didn’t typically allow negativity to effect me as a child and was often naïve to the negative or malicious intentions of others. As an adult, I can recognize it. I just choose to ignore or forgive and move on. There have many may times in my life were I have had to start over.  Read More>>

Angella Macreena

I think resilience is one of the things life teaches you. It’s like clay in a potter’s hands. The potter has a vision of the design, picks the best clay to bring the image in mind to life. Now, that clay will go through a range of processes like trimming, blasting, glazing to form a beautiful strong vase that serves it’s purpose. What others see as dirt, He sees as a master piece. Each unique in it’s own way.I look at it in this perspective. God is the Potter and we are the clay.
You trust the potter. You trust the process. Read More>>

Kristine Streett Brooks

Resilience has been a recurring theme of my existence. I’ve come from a long line of strong, resilient women. After watching each of them go through the many trials of life with dignity and grace, it set the bar very high for how I viewed living life in the face of adversity. Read More>>

Dasia Washington

When I was 22, I was put in a life or death situation when a man I went on a few dates with began stalking me. I went through months of being terrorized daily. Months of threats against my life. When I was at rock bottom of police not helping me, sleep deprivation and living in a constant state of fear, I considered suicide to just make it stop. It wasn’t until the night he kicked my door in to make good on his threats and I was forced to defend myself against his advances with my firearm that I consciously made the choice to live. Read More>>

Anisa Palmer

I get my resilience from my mother and father. My mother was adopted at a young age. Almost got kicked out of catholic school for asking questions. Survived an abusive marriage. She got out! Then married my father. She believed in the arts, counseled couples to work in their marriage, and provided mentorship and training to at-risk youth. She later succumbed to breast cancer. Read More>>

Casey Burke

I believe my resilience comes from the people I’m surrounded by. Any line of work in the entertainment industry is nerve-wracking and unsteady. You hear a whole lot of no’s before you hear a yes, and you will inevitably have moments of self doubt. I think it is so important to surround yourself with people who will remind you how loved and worthy you are in those tough moments. I have been so fortunate to have parents, family, and friends who have always and will always believe in me, even when I don’t believe in myself. Read More>>

Joey Cool

My resilience comes from a couple of different places, but my grandfather, Bill Johnson is probably the main one. He was singing in nightclubs and lounges back in the day. He had to overcome the worst due to the state of our country at the time. He never gave up on it. Music is something he was married to. And that’s why he’s still singing with me on stages to this very day. Read More>>

Kiesha Dunn

As a beauty business owner, resilience is crucial for facing the challenges of entrepreneurship. My love for the beauty industry and the products I provide fuels my determination to overcome obstacles and succeed. I constantly seek knowledge and stay open to learning from successes and failures. I rely on a network of mentors, advisors, and a supportive team to share insights, offer guidance, and provide emotional support during tough times. Read More>>