How Nature Can Teach Us Resilience

June 4, 2018 / 32 Comments

Have you ever really considered the power that exists within the tiniest and most delicate things in nature? A seed, for example, any seed really, so small and easily moved by just the gentlest of winds, holds within it life itself. From the tiniest seeds grow the most beautiful things in nature. Plants, trees, flowers, and even weeds. Within each tiny seed lies everything that is needed to produce new life.

*This is a sponsored post. This shirt was provided to me for purposes of this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

*Shirt: Plus Size Sheer Embroidery Long Sleeve T-Shirt c/o Rosegal. Unfortunately, this top is sold out. You can find other sheer embroidered tops here, here, here, here, and here.

Have you ever really considered the strength that lies within the life sustaining element of water? We need it to survive in so many ways. While it gives and sustains life, it can take away life in just one powerful tide. Respect it for its power and cherish it for its willingness to nourish us.

Have you ever really considered the resilience of nature and how we, too, can learn to be strong and powerful? Bending with the ever changing winds of life but never breaking. Building ourselves up and learning how to weather the storms. Coming back with each new season better and more beautiful than before.  Blooming like brilliant flowers amongst the wreckage that surrounds us.

Resilience is within us. We are born with it and we spend our lives honing it to perfection. Every time we are knocked down, we stand up taller and braver and stronger than before. Every time we crack, we repair the break, leaving behind the most beautiful scars. The scars that tell our stories. Every time a petal drifts slowly and sadly to the ground, we know that a brighter one will grow in its place.  Until we are vibrant and full and overflowing with gratitude and wealth of the greatest sort.

Eventually we all become the most glorious versions of ourselves wrought with blemishes, wounds and scars, scrapes and burns, with each imperfection holding the beauty of a million shining stars. Though our wings may be tattered and torn, we still float gracefully on the breeze.  Always ready for the next challenge Always confident in the knowledge that we have overcome obstacles before and we will do it again. Over and over again. Because we, too, are part of nature. And like nature, we are equally resilient, equally strong, equally unbreakable.

“When we tackle obstacles, we find hidden reserves of courage and resilience we did not know we had. And it is only when we are faced with failure do we realise that these resources were always there within us. We only need to find them and move on with our lives.” -A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo — far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” -Jodi Picoult

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient.” -Dr. Steve Maraboli

“My scars remind me that I did indeed survive my deepest wounds. That in itself is an accomplishment. And they bring to mind something else, too. They remind me that the damage life has inflicted on me has, in many places, left me stronger and more resilient. What hurt me in the past has actually made me better equipped to face the present.” -Steve Goodier

“Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.” -Bernard Williams

“Resilience is very different than being numb. Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But, you keep going.” -Yasmin Mogahed

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” -Albert Einstein

Have you had your strength challenged over and over again? Have you proven yourself resilient? How have you overcome your greatest obstacles? If you are looking for inspiring stories of strength and resilience, the pages of Resilientista Magazine are filled with them!

Steadfastly resilient on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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32 Comments

  • Maureen

    June 4, 2018 at 10:26 am Reply

    Motherhood has been a challenge and an example of resilience! Since this little boy of mine never came with an instruction manual every day has been a learning experience and some moments more challenging than others. While there are times I would like to throw my hands up somehow there’s a fighting force inside that says to just keep going. And 4 years in the making I can say the lessons I have learned are priceless and make me a lot stronger for the years that are coming and for the different challenges making its way. You look tough girl chic Shelbee! Love the baker hat and the lace leggings. In my opinion, there’s nothing like the feminine and edgy vibe are the perfect combo.

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 4, 2018 at 10:56 am Reply

      Maureen, I love the angle you took on this message…parenthood is definitely all about resilience! If we weren’t resilient, I don’t know if any of us would survive our children’s youth! It really is the greatest challenge of all, isn’t it? Keeping these little ones on the right track and trying to raise them to be responsible, kind, loving, productive adults. Keep on doing what you do, my friend. You are a fantastic mom! And thanks for the outfit compliment. You do know how I like to combine feminine and edgy elements into one look! I hope you have a fabulous week.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Susan Marinelli

    June 4, 2018 at 6:20 pm Reply

    Great post, great quotes. Honestly, I don’t know how Einstein found the time to be as quotable as he is. My favorite quote of all time is from Einstein, “I want to know God’s thoughts – the rest are mere details”.

    Now about details…The outfit is AWESOME! I love shorts and combat boots, but I can’t quite pull it off. You did though, and this outfit makes me happy.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 4, 2018 at 7:50 pm Reply

      Susan, thanks so much! I think this is the first time I have worn shorts with combat boots! But it worked in my favor, for sure. And yes, Einstein…so much brilliance in even his most obscure ideas. And that quote you shared…so good!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Paula

    June 4, 2018 at 10:41 pm Reply

    I love the place that you chose for the photo shoot – it fits your message perfectly! ( And I would love to explore it). Always enjoy your posts and the confidence that shines through in your photos. And of course, the outfits you pull together and pull off so perfectly.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 5, 2018 at 9:54 am Reply

      Paula, thank you so much! I was going for a message that involved flowers because I had to post about the shirt and this is where I ended up! I was really happy myself with how the message coincided with the outfit and the location. So thank you for noticing that. I wanted to explore inside the building but my husband wouldn’t let me! He said it was “trespassing” and “a little too dangerous.” Ha. Because we weren’t already trespassing?! Oops.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Patrick Weseman

    June 5, 2018 at 2:42 am Reply

    All of what you said is so very true. It is amazing how everything living comes from a tiny cell. Love the look of the hat, top, jean shorts, lace tights and boots, very punkist and nice.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 5, 2018 at 9:44 am Reply

      Patrick, thanks so much! I get such a kick out of it when you compliment my outfit! Yay! And the power of nature really is quite astonishing, isn’t it? We can learn so many valuable life lessons just by watching how nature operates.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Marilee Gramith

    June 7, 2018 at 3:32 am Reply

    I love the way you used the cute red hat to help POP the red embroideru on the top.
    Have you read about the Japanese art of wabi sabi? A cracked pot will be mended with gold emphasizing the beauty of the imperfection and the character built through breaking and learning from our brokenness. You nailed those views here.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 7, 2018 at 10:08 am Reply

      Jude, thank you so much! And thank you for sending me those two Pinterest images. It is such a great philosophy/art indeed and one that translates perfectly to human nature. I will continue to repair my cracks with beautiful things!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Emma Peach

    June 11, 2018 at 4:04 pm Reply

    The two things that have made me find strength and resilience are motherhood and long distance running. Having a baby really tested my mental resiliance (and sanity), and running both requires physical and mental resilience – will power keeps the legs going when they feel like lead! I love your sassy outfit – great boots and red hat!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 11, 2018 at 4:29 pm Reply

      Emma, thank you so much for sharing your personal story! Motherhood, while it can add to my insanity, has also contributed very much to regaining perspective that is healthy and happy! And I just started walking (no running yet) a few miles every day…and I agree, pushing through the pain is a huge motivator that builds resilience, for sure!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Liberty Henwick

    June 13, 2018 at 3:34 pm Reply

    That top is fab, looks great with your outfit and the setting is perfect too. It amazes me how much potential we have for resilience. Thanks for linking up with the #blogcrush linky.

  • Judith

    June 26, 2018 at 10:25 pm Reply

    The resiliency of nature is the perfect mirror for the resiliency of the human spirit. Our experiences do strengthen us. Your red cap really shows off the wonderful embroidery of your shirt. Thank you for sharing your fun style with Hat Attack!

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Shelbee on the Edge