Resiliency Definition Essay

Resiliency, according to Merriam- Webster, is the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress, or an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Both of these definitions, while true, do not completely capture the concept I have of the term. My life experiences have molded and shaped the word for me into something that carries a sharper sword and a stronger shield. The first definition of resiliency is apparent more in objects and substances than in people. The ability of atoms to return to normal during an elastic collision and the plasticity quality the brain possesses are just a couple of examples of this. For me, however, it goes further

Examples of this are prevalent, especially in today’s society. However, my definition of resiliency in this sense goes a little more. To me, recovering from and adjusting easily to misfortune and change is only a part of the story. Most of the time, it is not easy to achieve resiliency. Resiliency then in my own words is the ability to recover and adjust, not necessarily easily, to misfortune and change and become a stronger and more positive person because of it. A current and excellent example of this is the attitude Paris had and continues to have after the devastating terrorist attacks that plagued their people. After the attacks that left over 100 people dead, the people of Paris were confronted with an immense amount of misfortune and change. The entire country went from a state of normality to a state of mourning overnight. However, the ability of the country to come out of that mourning as stronger and more positive shows its true resilience. The people of France, with the support of the entire world, stared into the faces of evil and decided to recover as a stronger, more united country. This is evident in many of the photos and posts relating to Paris after the attacks. They also recovered as a more positive people. The same people that are being declared as ISIS members themselves, the Syrian refugees, were welcomed into the country of France almost directly