By Steve Beseke, beseke1@earthlink.net
Inspiration and resilience come in many forms. Great folks like you around the world have reached out to me through my speeches and writings to say they are extremely inspired by how I have successfully overcome the challenges of my lifelong disability – Cerebral Palsy.
Yes, I’ve dusted myself off to turn such a life obstacles into the persistent pursuit of the best that I can be. But there are so many others of you who may have much more profound challenges that are deep inside that can lead to tremendous pain and sorrow.
I, for example, was absolutely inspired by Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, who recently was awarded the Olympic bronze medal for her incredible – and resilient – performance. She received great scores and found something inside to give even more. Joannnie’s mother, you see, had just died of a massive heart attack in the Olympic Village only days before her daughter’s stunning skating competition.
Nobody would have blinked an eye if Joannie had just pulled out of the competition to deal with the tremendous grief of someone more important to her than anyone else. Yet, she persevered and showed all of us the true spirit of our human experience. Her resolve, dedication and persistence to still be her very best despite unimaginable heartache is the pure essence of how all of us can use our resilience in so many ways.
I have to adapt, compromise and be patient when I have my physical challenges of falling, losing my balance and walking a bit differently. But Joannie, and many of you, have had to deal with losses much greater than mine using your resilience to make it through successfully.
I’m also truly inspired by the many stories you’ve told me about in your everyday lives!
Joannie also showed us that resilience also means finding ways to use your inner strengths of adaptability and sheer determination to overcome. Not only the devastating loss of her mother, but the lifelong support she provided Joannie through – literally – the ups and downs of her outstanding skating career.
What was even more inspirational, she was able to handle all this grief in the intense glare of a worldwide audience and representing her country at the largest sporting event globally. I cannot have more respect and admiration for her…
When I lost my father several years ago, I was a wreck and that was in the privacy of my family and my own life. My life resilience is still tested every time a memory filters through of my father. ..many tears are shed. So, when I saw Joannie’s strength and compassion for her mother in such a public arena, it is a moment that helps me with the grief of my dad – and a wonderful example for the rest of my life.
Unless they are truly special, the fame of sports figures are only a momentary blip until the next great athlete takes the worldwide stage. I have a feeling Joannie will step up on the podium with the likes of Jesse Owens to offer the most inspiring example of resilience despite unfathomably tragic circumstances.
The next time something does not go quite right at work or in your personal relationships, please just remember the resilience, perseverance and sheer strength that one little-known figure skater showed the world. I definitely will…
I was recently a featured guest on a national radio show highlighting life and career resiliency. I will be adding a podcast link to this site very soon. Please let me know if I could help you or your company with the return on investment of resiliency. All of us can make a resilient difference…
Until next week, thanks for your continued readership. My worldwide resiliency blog has now nearly surpassed 1.5 million hits in the last year. Thank you!!!
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