"Resilient As Heck": What It Means

Raising resilient children is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately.  Thrive advisor, (and Race To Nowhere education expert) Denise Pope is teaching an entire class.  Our own programs promote resiliency in adolescents as a benefit and outcome.

But what does “resilient“ really mean?  That’s a good question that even experts disagree on.  Some think that it’s a genetic trait you’re born with, others swear that it’s a set of skills that can be taught.   I’m not sure who’s right, but I do know resilience when I see it.

The San Francisco Giants are in the middle of a championship series no one ever expected them to be in.  They’re a hodgepodge team--not slick and expensive like the Yankees or been-there-done-that experienced like the Phillies. 

What they are, however, is “resilient as heck”, according to third base coach Tim Flannery.  Even manager Bruce Bochy has started using the word to describe the team.

It makes total sense.  Their top pitcher is a pale, skinny kid called the Freak (Tim Lincecum) and top closer (Brian Wilson) looks like a mohawked Charles Manson.  Their most highly paid player (Barry Zito) is warming the bench, while a late August pick-up (Cody Ross) has hit 3 HR in two games.  Pretty amazing for a guy who couldn’t get his calls returned from any other team.  Everyone on the team has experienced dramatic personal highs and lows, but they keep finding a way to win. 

Maybe that’s the real meaning of resilience.  Regardless of physical ability or genetic traits, digging deep into the mental toolbox and finding ways to overcome adversity.

That’s a great lesson for kids of all ages.