Definition of resilience
1: the
capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused
especially by compressive stress
(Also resiliency)
NOUN
·
1The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
·
2The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape;
elasticity.
We were talking
with a college coach 2 weeks ago advocating for one of our swimmers. After the
usual conversation we asked what he thought the differences – if any – were in
this generation of high schoolers compared to those that had come before. He
replied that the main thing he sees is that kids today lack the resiliency of
those even a decade ago, let alone several decades ago.
He observed that
pretty much every person who comes in as a freshman will, over the course of 4
years, face any number of challenges as they adjust to life on their
own…academically, socially, athletically…you name it and they will be
challenged, multiple times. He said he thinks today’s young people lack
resiliency, especially when compared to those who have come before.
We talked a bit
about how this happens discussing all the usual things…parents who do too much,
coaches who do too much, thus robbing the youngster of the opportunity to grow
by becoming resilient while still relatively safe in their local environs.
Failure fixed by
others leaves you weakened; mistakes you overcome on your own empower you.
