The Pebble Jar of Resilience

Pebble Jar of Resilience

We are all working towards understanding this new normal, we are stretching ourselves, our resources, our boundaries- both physical and mental. As a trainer and facilitator, I talk about understanding mental health and being kind to self, especially in these times. While the lockdown is slowly being eased, it will also give rise to new challenges. New ways of interactions, new workplace norms, new ways to take care of self.
Let us look at 'Five Learnings' in a single jar. While we are talking about finding ways to cope, being grateful, accepting challenges and embracing the new normal, I suggest we build a 'Pebble Jar of Resilience'.

A. What the pebbles mean?
1. Every pebble in the jar will be a reminder of a challenge or obstacle you overcame that day.
2. As the pebbles grow, you will realise that things have been hard and crazy, but you have found a way.
3. The pebbles will remind you that focus on what you can control and let go what you can't.
4. The pebbles will be a testimony of your persevence and resilience.
5. The pebbles will be a memory of the adage, 'this too shall pass' and 'tomorrow is a new day'. You will realise that acceptance is the key to unlock the resilience. You will savor these little notes.

B. How do you make this 'Pebble Jar of Resilience'?
1. This is not a compulsory 'to do' for everyday. You could choose to do it few times a week or as and when an experience lends itself to this thought.
2. This is for you to note down an experience on a day when you overcame a challenge or an obstacle or used your skill to solve a problem or issue on hand.
3. Write it on a piece of paper with the date, crumple it to resemble a pebble and put it in the jar.
4. On a day when all seems lost, open a pebble and read it and congratulate yourself for the feat.
5. Kindness starts with self and every crease on that pebble tells your story. So, own it, write about it and pebble it.

C. Some things that I wrote on my pebbles:
1. I managed to finish a section of the online course today despite the terrible headache.
2. Wasn't in a mood to cook. Made a one pot meal of khichdi with all our fave veggies.
3. Prepared for my upcoming webinar and added a new element to make it more interactive.
4. Felt exhausted in the morning, did some reading and took time off to just reflect on my to dos for the week.
5. Did nothing that can be called a chore. Focused on self and sleep.

Go on, make that 'Pebble Jar of Resilience' and let the pebbles make some noise.

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