- The book launch and signing party on 5/12 was amazing! We streamed live via Facebook, signed books and had some fun. I did a reading, Chap. 5 for those curious and we had a really introspective and illuminating Q & A discussion. Thank you all who were able to make it live or via Facebook. I appreciate you!
- My radio interview with The Janis Underwood Show – Unleashing the Creator within … for real on Monday 5/14 was terrific! We covered why write a book about death and grief, why we need to talk about it, love and grace, and unexpected things from publishing the book. I encourage you to listen live or download from the link above. Thank you, Janice, again for the opportunity.
- Next week I’ll be at a conference with Stand Beside Them promoting coaching for veterans and Soul Love. Thank you Stephanie for inviting me to come along!
There is a common theme in the reviews and comments from readers is that my life and the book’s story are a witness and example of Resiliency in Action.
What does that mean? Resiliency is defined as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change” or the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience
I personally resonate with a spring as the image of resiliency. I love when I can spring back and bounced after a set-back.
Resiliency in Action is just that – something or someone you can see or relate as resilient. A spring is resiliency in action for example.
How often can we see and relate to real life examples of Resiliency in Action?
It seems like something other people and things are resilient. But me, nah. People told me I was resilient but I didn’t understand or feel like it. I merely survived and still felt broken and tired.
That was my thinking before I decided to learn more about this thing called resiliency and began researching this topic. I now understand that OK, yes, I am resilient. It’s taken years of study and work to get to the point I’ll agree with that statement and can actually put it out there for the world to see. I so want to share this with you.
Yes, you can build resiliency skills!
It doesn’t have to take you years of study either. I’ll share my reflections about how the book Soul Love and my life are a window into Resiliency in Action.
- I didn’t know what I was doing so I learned how and asked for help.
- After Kris died, I was in a deep depression – I got counseling and sought help.
- I didn’t know how to write well, I’m a Comp. Sci. major and writing wasn’t a skill I had in my wheelhouse. I went and took classes.
- Resiliency is about learning and doing. If you don’t know learn and ask for help.
- It’s a strength to ask for help NOT a weakness as many have taught us.
- I was knocked down – hard during the writing. I persevered and I got up!
- I started writing four years ago while starting my business. Mom got sick and died a year later. I was knocked down hard and stopped writing. I got up because this book wanted to be written.
- I went to writing classes and learned I was so out of my league in the writing world. I knew nothing and was and such a rookie writer - I was defeated and knocked down. I got up and wrote – the book had to be shared.
- I had a finished manuscript and a published author in a writing critique group told me I had no business writing and he’d never read it due to my horrible grammar, and more harsh words that knocked me down. I cried and just about gave up and put it away. I got up and gave my manuscript to an editor to produce a “Profound Journey”, “Riveting and Thought Provoking”, etc. book.
- I wanted to give up and the work was hard. I battled depression and I didn’t want to. Often….
- During the writing process while building my business it became so overwhelming. I was so tired and I just wanted to give it all up and sleep and eat. My depression had returned after mom’s death. I got help and slowly crawled out and started writing again - just 15 min. a day at first.
- The editing process of the book was like torture to me. I wanted to be done already. I didn’t want to edit line by line and read aloud, build more dialog, or remember any more of this story. I just wanted to be published. I whined, blew it off, and procrastinated. An amazing coach, asked me if I was going to write the book or not? I answered, “Of course I am.” She replied, “Well, just write the book then!” That became my mantra. Write the (fill in curse word of the moment) book. Just write the book.
- I was terrified by being vulnerable – I published it anyway.
- Fears can block us 100% and stop us in our tracks. Sure did me.
- The final edited beautiful book showed up in my inbox from my editor for final review before print. I was paralyzed by fear. The parasite (reference The Mastery of Self by Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr.) took over and said...
- You can’t publish this - bah ha ha. Who are you to publish a book, remember what that so & so told you so. Why bother no one will buy it? It’s too much to share. What will people think? What if I lose friends or family? Who would actually read it? Who are you kidding – writer – bah? And on and on and on…. For about a month. It just sat there while I quivered and hid in fear, silently.
- You can’t publish this - bah ha ha. Who are you to publish a book, remember what that so & so told you so. Why bother no one will buy it? It’s too much to share. What will people think? What if I lose friends or family? Who would actually read it? Who are you kidding – writer – bah? And on and on and on…. For about a month. It just sat there while I quivered and hid in fear, silently.
- I was able to check in with myself about what was most important and complete the task.
- Thankfully, I finally realized I might as well finish this project I started. The kids and family wanted to read it. I knew a handful of people who might read it and maybe a few would purchase it.
- Notice my fears were unfounded and not based in truth?
- I started this project and I really did want to complete it – even though I was terrified. I was so darn close.
- It was important to me and I wanted to achieve it. No matter what.
- I reached deep down and listened to what my soul, God/Divine was calling. Just put it out there, there are people who need this. So, I did.
- Thankfully, I finally realized I might as well finish this project I started. The kids and family wanted to read it. I knew a handful of people who might read it and maybe a few would purchase it.
- YOU can TOO! Resiliency is a skill that can be learned.
I hope you find this Resiliency in Action topic interesting and a useful read. If so please share with your network.
Want to know more about building resiliency? I have four different types of resources to share with you.
- Blogs on my research from Dr. Jane McGonigal author of Superbetter:The Power of Living Gamefully and another on Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine.
- Web resources on Resiliency about Trauma, for Children and Teachers from Cornell, APA (American Psychological Association), and other resources I’ve gathered. Here’s a link to my Resource Page
- Books – For those of you who love to read about this topic. I have a list of books on resiliency, change, loss, career. Here’s a link to my Book Resource Page.
- Coaching - I'd love to coach you and help you build your resiliency in action. Check out my page to see if this might be right for you.
Help me get Soul Love out to the world. I'd love for you to invite me to your podcast, radio show, blog, do a signing and/or reading at your place, or social/business group. Contact me at teresa@boldfulfilledlifecoach.com and let’s discuss. Look for more signings and readings in Austin and nationally this year. Stay tuned!
Thank you in advance!
Much peace, love and blessings,
Teresa
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, ACC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
teresa@boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
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