Resilience by definition is characterized by an inbuilt or resident characteristic or quality. Are some born that way? I argue that all people are resilient by design. Some have optimized that design feature or muscle. But with practice we all can get there.

Have you come across some people who seem to appear calm and unmoved by the things that typically rock people’s worlds such as a financial market crash or an impending health crisis? How do they do that? It’s not that they have no fear. Rather, fear is overcome by the love of the Greater Good more than anything else. 

So, how can we evidence the characteristic nature and quality of those who are unmoved by cataclysmic events that rock our everyday world? It isn’t easy. But not because it’s difficult. We don’t often get enough practice in using that particular “muscle.” The answer lies in being countercultural—doing what doesn’t necessarily come naturally; it’s often about going against the grain of popular practice.

First, be generous—for example, charge no interest for money given out especially to the poor. Or simply, try and use that which is in your power or to your advantage to help someone weaker than you or help someone out of a difficult spot. Be available and generous with your time and money. 

Second, be mindful—for example, take no bribes to testify against the innocent. In other words, try and identify what it is that you are doing that might be interpreted as taking undue advantage over others, prioritizing your own needs over and above the needs of others? 

Be overcome by the Greater Good, not the lesser. Let’s not say, what’s the least I can do to help someone out or be mindful of someone else. But rather, what if we ask, how best can we give ourselves for the sake of others? 

The way to healing and restoration for our society and world calls us all to help one another get there. We shall overcome, not by fear but by embracing the Greater Good. This will give us strength to change our behavior, and thereby radically transform our character. Better people, better designs, better world.