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Natural disasters, sports injuries, environmental circumstances and loss are all unfortunate.
During these times, however, we see people come together and rise above unbearable adversities. The unity and outpouring of love to help in times of need are powerful reminders of our shared humanity. In these moments, we realize we are not alone and can rely on each other for support. But why does it take a horrible situation for humans to help others? What finally clicks inside that forces individuals to help themselves? While these questions may not have easy answers, they are worth pondering. In times of difficulty, we see just how resilient the human spirit can be. Whether it’s a student overcoming academic challenges, a single parent juggling work and family, or a person battling mental health issues, resilience is a universal trait we all possess.
As beautiful as nature is, it can also be horrific. Recently, in the U.S., parts of our country have been trying to recover after the devastation of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Before, during, and after, there have been countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors, communities helping communities, and individuals not affected by the storms, lending a hand in clean up, gathering supplies or offering monetary donations. These examples show the power of community support in action and remind us that we are all part of a larger whole, and our actions can make a difference.
We have witnessed the country coming together to help ease some pain for those affected by the L.A. fires. During such despairing times, nothing stands in the way of wanting to help others in distress. Political, religious and any other belief system does not deter the willingness to be a good person. Again, why does it take events such as these to see each other on a human level?
Those of us who watch sports, especially the Olympics, have all learned about the athletes’ journeys of overcoming injury, displacement, war, etc., to live their dream of competing at the highest level against the best in their respective sports. The sacrifices the athletes and their families have suffered always bring me tears. It may not be just the love of the sport that propels these athletes in any sport, but the hope of creating a better life for themselves and their families. Even on a personal level, we may challenge ourselves to keep our bodies in motion to remain healthy in mind, body and spirit, but with age, those nagging aches and pains might nudge us to stop. These are the times we need to dig deep, knowing that bodies are meant for movement, and as soon as we stop, we start declining physically and mentally.
I remember back when I was running marathons. I have completed 16 in all, and during that time, I had two goals: qualify for Boston and break the four-hour mark. I met one of those goals with a PR 3:56 finish, but I missed out on running Boston. I was not a top-level athlete, but I was running for better health and to challenge myself. You find out how strong you are mentally and physically, competing against others and yourself. We don’t have to watch sports or participate in sports to find courage, determination, and perseverance to keep going even when facing whatever life throws at us. Humans rise and become a better, stronger version of themselves at their lowest. I remember the pain and exhaustion of those races and the exhilaration of crossing the finish line, knowing I had pushed my limits and succeeded. These experiences taught me the power of resilience and the importance of pushing through tough times.
Life is a precious gift that we often take for granted. In all its beauty comes hardships and difficulties. Each individual has a story and has the power to change that script to rise from the valley to the mountaintop.
Nothing shows the power of the human spirit more than deciding to deal with the cards they are dealt if they feel they need to improve their quality of life. Life’s journey comes down to choice and consequence. As the famous quote by psychiatrist Carl Jung says, “I am what I choose to become.”
In essence, our circumstances do not define us unless we let them. With that being said, we all have the power to rise, learn, and grow from whatever trauma and mistakes we have encountered if we choose to. Resilience is not just about bouncing back from adversity but about using those experiences to grow and become a better version of ourselves. With growth and the help of others and the Lord, we can find inner strength we never knew we possessed.
When experiencing loss and such terrible pain, there is such courage and bravery within us to keep going and hold our loved ones close, even when we don’t feel like we can. To me, this is the most remarkable example of the human spirit. For some, the belief in a higher power can provide comfort and strength in times of adversity, and this is a personal belief that has helped me find resilience in my own life.
Whether helping in times of need, being there for family and friends, recovering from injury, or challenging ourselves to be the best we can be, we are capable of more than we give ourselves credit for. Humans are built tough and meant to lift each other. Don’t let things that don’t matter in the end, such as political views, religious beliefs, status, etc., stop us from being kind, grateful for what we have, or stuck where we shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t need extenuating circumstances to be decent to each other and ourselves. The world can be even more beautiful if we want it to be.
As Jacob Marley said to Ebenezer, “Mankind was my business.” And it is every one of ours also.
- Lee Ann Raikes, aka “Large Marge,” is a resident of Utica. She is a high school educator at Regional Office of Education 35 Academy and has been involved in education for more than 20 years.