Lessons in Resilience: The Stories We Tell and Why They Matter

"Resilience has taken on many meanings throughout its long history, but scientists who study stress and resilience say it's helpful to think of it as an emotional muscle that can be strengthened at any time. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as, "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress - such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors". Resilience is not a trait that is either present or absent, but consists of behaviors, thoughts, and actions that experts agree can be learned and developed by anyone. It's therefore not our exposure to potentially traumatic events that determines later functioning, but how we respond to them." This in-depth article shares more. 

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1968/lessons-in-resilience-the-stories-we-tell-and-why-they-matter-emily-rose-barr/