We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pilar Castrillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pilar below.
Pilar, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
where do you get your resilience from? Resilience comes from the fact that, when I migrate, I am faced with three fundamental choices: adapt to the new environment, return to my place of origin, or face difficulties to the point of stagnation in the place of arrival. However, dying in migration does not only imply the physical loss of life but being trapped in an existence unable to live fully and develop, unable to express your gifts and abilities.
My resilience is rooted in an understanding of this destiny that I arrived at to safeguard my physical and mental well-being in the face of persecution in my country of origin. Resilience develops when your priorities are delineated. In my case, it is to contribute to the place of arrival and make the best use of the opportunities. I understand that true resilience is not just about surviving but flourishing and contributing despite the challenges, and this understanding guides my path and determination on this migratory journey.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I guide and support people convinced that succeeding in this great country is possible. The beginning is to get to know each person, their abilities, their life, and academic formation, and together establish a strategy so that their abilities are of benefit to society. This implies vital, entrepreneurial, and spiritual accompaniment. These aspects are strongly intertwined and are the basis for strategies to move forward.
Witnessing the transformation when individuals become aware of their possibilities is genuinely invigorating. The excitement and the desire to implement personalized strategies aligned with their unique capabilities propel them to take those crucial initial steps. This journey reveals perseverance, resilience, and a genuine passion for life can turn aspirations into reality.
As people recognize their potential, a newfound sense of enthusiasm infuses their actions. They were armed with the understanding that their efforts and determination matter; they embarked on a path where challenges become growth opportunities. The synergy of determination and resilience creates a powerful force, making realizing goals not just conceivable but achievable.
This process is a testament to the remarkable capacity of individuals to evolve and thrive when equipped with self-awareness and a proactive mindset. It underscores the transformative nature of embracing one’s capabilities and leveraging them with tenacity and zeal. Witnessing this evolution is a source of inspiration, highlighting the profound impact of self-discovery and pursuing goals on the journey toward a fulfilling and purposeful life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Believe in God, believe in myself, and believe in the system and its people.
The three primary skills or qualities were to keep active and to develop myself in a specific area for which I felt a real passion. I wanted to train myself academically in the opportunities to strengthen what I was passionate about and did well, and finally, to apply new knowledge to the training and skills I already possessed.
My advice is to be grateful and be happy with what you do, whether it is temporary or leads to something definitive; that is what you are going to develop for the rest of your life, and finally, not to be afraid to make mistakes; that is where you learn.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My parents trusted me and supported every step of my intellectual and educational growth. The communication between us has been decisive for my self-confidence and courage to experience changes and challenges.
My father taught me not to complain but to find a solution to every problem, to use my abilities, and to move forward (he passed away in 2023)
My mother, with her generosity and love for all people, taught me to share everything that came into her hands: love for family and helping with the needs of others.
My husband, with his capacity for work and innovation, did what made him happy and contributed to the world.
My daughter is a source of inspiration, encouragement to continue, and a warrior of experiences in her short 25 years.
My biggest challenge is to wait for an interview to request political asylum. For nine years, I have been waiting for my case to be heard by USCIS.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.migrantjourney.org
- Instagram: @migrantjourney
- Facebook: @migrantjourney
- Twitter: @migrantjourney
Image Credits
Ana Baptista, my daughter Francisco Castrillo, Dalia de Castrillo, my parents
