As a result of the pandemic, her nonprofit organization, Rise Collective, lost a significant amount of funding, which forced her to make a difficult decision. At that moment, her options became 1) to give up what she had spent the last 5+ years building and go into another line of work or 2) to give it all that she had, give up her salary to keep the operations afloat and fight to keep her dream alive. Courtney chose to fight and move forward.
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns that can challenge us in ways we never thought possible. Whether it's a global pandemic, a natural disaster, a personal loss, or any other difficult situation, tough times can leave us feeling overwhelmed, helpless, and unsure of how to keep going.
But as difficult as these times may be, they also present an opportunity for growth, resilience, and a deeper connection to ourselves and others. To navigate these challenging times, one must cultivate a mindset that is both aware and resilient, enabling us to move forward with purpose, compassion, and strength.
Consciousness: Cultivating Awareness and Empathy
Growing awareness of who you are and what you are experiencing can be invaluable. Instead of putting your lives in “cruise control,” this means being fully present in the moment, tuning into your thoughts and feelings, and developing empathy for yourself and others.
One way to cultivate awareness is through reflective practices such as meditation, journaling, the daily examen, or breathing exercises. Focusing on silence before and after you enter into a time of Bible study can focus you, as well. By taking a few moments each day to tune into your thoughts and emotions, you can better understand what you are experiencing.
Another way is by practicing empathy and compassion. To practice empathy means recognizing that you are not alone in your struggles and extending kindness and support to your neighbors, beginning with the one in the mirror. Whether it's reaching out to a friend in need, volunteering to serve those most vulnerable in your community, or simply offering yourself grace and understanding, empathy and compassion can help us move forward with a sense of purpose and connection.
Resilience: Building Strength and Adaptability
In addition to awareness, Resilience means building the strength and adaptability to navigate challenges, setbacks, and adversity. One way to build resilience is by focusing on your strengths and abilities and your perceived weaknesses. By recognizing your inherent skills, talents, and limitations, you can develop confidence that can help you overcome obstacles.
You can also build resilience by developing a growth mindset. This means recognizing that challenges and setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. I would define myself as a recovering perfectionist. I have always waited to get things “right” before I even start. This kind of approach reduces creativity and causes paralysis rather than inspiring growth and healing—my attempts to keep from failing to hinder me from becoming the person I desire to be. Seeing my limitations as a “good thing” flips the proverbial script on my perfectionistic tendencies. In other words, by embracing your vulnerability and limitations, you are best positioned for personal and spiritual growth. Rather than hampering you, what you are experiencing could free you to explore new things. By reframing our perspective on adversity, we can cultivate a sense of resilience that enables us to persevere and succeed in even the most challenging times.
Moving Forward: Taking Action with Purpose
Moving forward in challenging times requires a combination of consciousness and resilience. By cultivating awareness, empathy, and strength, you can take purposeful action to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and create a better situation for yourself and others.
So whether you're facing a global pandemic, a personal setback, or any other challenging situation, remember these things can work together to grow us for the sake of our most vulnerable neighbors.
In this week's episode of MercyCast, Courtney Adams, the founder of Rise Collective, joins to talk about moving forward, even when it's hard.