I have been in the Philippines for nearly 4 decades of my
life. In these 40 years, I have seen Filipinos get beat down by fires,
typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and scores of floods. I have seen
them fight these disasters with all they got and then come out of them scathed
and unscathed but always smiling and celebrating life.
life. In these 40 years, I have seen Filipinos get beat down by fires,
typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and scores of floods. I have seen
them fight these disasters with all they got and then come out of them scathed
and unscathed but always smiling and celebrating life.
In fact at the individual level in this culture I have seen
them manage personal challenges the same way. In a family when an elder is at
his deathbed they do their utmost to keep him alive. They pray, they serve and
give it all they got and as and when the elder moves on they mourn for the
right time and soon begin to laugh, share funny stories, celebrate and move on.
This to me is unique and special.
them manage personal challenges the same way. In a family when an elder is at
his deathbed they do their utmost to keep him alive. They pray, they serve and
give it all they got and as and when the elder moves on they mourn for the
right time and soon begin to laugh, share funny stories, celebrate and move on.
This to me is unique and special.
So what makes up for the trait of resiliency in a culture and
an individual? My experience and studies tell me three things:
an individual? My experience and studies tell me three things:
One, they acknowledge and accept that stuff happens. It happens to healthy, the wealthy and
even the happy. Resilient people are pragmatic about this. They drink both
sorrow and happiness from the same cup. They do not delve upon 'why me' but
accept the fact and ask 'why not me.’ They take the blows, fall, get up and
then go on.
even the happy. Resilient people are pragmatic about this. They drink both
sorrow and happiness from the same cup. They do not delve upon 'why me' but
accept the fact and ask 'why not me.’ They take the blows, fall, get up and
then go on.
Two, all resilient people stay focused on a higher purpose. They are dedicated and die hard
committed to whatever they are creating, building and sustaining in this world.
Their vision and their advocacy are like always pulling them forward. Their dedication
may be to a small business, a farm, a family, a large organization or a whole
nation. They stick to it. For many Filipinos their higher purpose is a higher
power and their faith.
committed to whatever they are creating, building and sustaining in this world.
Their vision and their advocacy are like always pulling them forward. Their dedication
may be to a small business, a farm, a family, a large organization or a whole
nation. They stick to it. For many Filipinos their higher purpose is a higher
power and their faith.
Three, all resilient people keep on toiling towards the good in
life and invest their blood, sweat and tears into thinking, saying and doing productive things. The little and big
things that create value and measure. When faced with a crisis they do not go
and binge on Netflix and devour chips and beer. They get up and keep doing
something that will make themselves and others healthy, wealthy or happy.
life and invest their blood, sweat and tears into thinking, saying and doing productive things. The little and big
things that create value and measure. When faced with a crisis they do not go
and binge on Netflix and devour chips and beer. They get up and keep doing
something that will make themselves and others healthy, wealthy or happy.
These are tough times. Way tougher than all the sicknesses,
fires, earthquakes, typhoons and floods we have faced. This time the enemy is invisible,
vicious and fast. Yet, if we come together, combine our strengths and humanity
as one, we can squash this beast
fires, earthquakes, typhoons and floods we have faced. This time the enemy is invisible,
vicious and fast. Yet, if we come together, combine our strengths and humanity
as one, we can squash this beast
Let me end by saying that when the night seems long, keep
your mind on the days ahead when there will be eternal and beautiful sunshine.
your mind on the days ahead when there will be eternal and beautiful sunshine.
My name is Raju Mandhyan; I am a trainer and speaker based in
the Philippines.
the Philippines.
On April 29, 2020 I am running a webinar of Resilience and
Rapid Business Recovery.
Rapid Business Recovery.
#Resilience #BusinessContinuity #AuthenticInfluence
#Leadership #Culture
#Leadership #Culture
#Resilience #BusinessContinuity #AuthenticInfluence #Leadership #Culture
