In praise of resilience and optimism

I took this picture five years ago. Spring came earlier to the farm than it does here, but snow often surprised us and optimistic daffodils this time of year.

I admired their resilience at the time. When the snow melted, they looked none the worse for their experience. I try to be like that. Sometimes I've been set on my heels by what life has dished out, but I shook off the snow and kept on growing. I am not naive, nor am I a Pollyanna seeing sunshine in everything. I think of myself as a pragmatic optimist; hoping for the best, knowing that "best" is subjective and situational. I usually have a plan B if things go sideways.

Optimism is the belief that things will be good, or better than they are now. Resilience is taking the difficult moments that life brings and moving forward regardless. Like those tough little daffodils. Together, optimism and resilience nurture each other.

Gardening is a very optimistic activity. Plant tiny seeds, believing that delicious food or beautiful flowers will follow. Cut back the shrubs, optimistic that sturdy new growth will be the result. My garden looks a bit bleak right now, but I know that under the shelter of last fall's leaves the hostas are putting out shoots. I see the leaves of the dwarf iris and daffodils poking through the snow. Flowers are on the way.

Raising children is also an optimistic process, and teaching your kids resilience is important. Both my kids are parents - I am now the proud grandma of four! As a parent, I knew there would be hard, sad days in their lives and my job was to help them learn to handle those days with optimism and resilience. I now see them teaching their children the same lessons. Feeling optimistic is very motivating, and thinking about the lessons I've learned in response to challenges feeds my resilience.

The snow will melt. The flowers will bloom. My grandkids will run around the yard and play on the swings. Life can be beautiful - and mine is. Wishing you a beautiful spring.