A Quest for Resilience

Flight time from Luxembourg to Frankfurt is about an hour. Frankfurt to San Francisco is another eleven hours and fifty minutes. I had no excuses, strapped into my seat, nowhere to go, I knew it was time to pull out my notebook and start thinking about my statements of what I wanted to change, achieve and when and why for 2023. For many of us there are frustrations linked with making resolutions and the ability to follow through on them. So how do we contain our annual enthusiasm and eagerness around mentally preparing for change?

Setting personal goals requires time and careful consideration. It seems a difficult task to make a commitment to change without first doing some reflecting.

I recall how I intentionally practiced reflecting with my team, during my time working at Stanford Hospital. Each month, I made it a routine of logging notes of every event, project, activity, recruitment, operations, vendors, and new programs. Closely examining all aspects from different perspectives.

Reflecting with the team!

I would use these notes to help prioritize my goals, culminating in an executive summary, which showcased actionable targets for each of the areas that I managed.

This exercise was a way to pause, reflect and process the ebbs and flows, to improvise overcome and adapt. I realized I had to release some things in order to accommodate new experiences.

The venue for our mapping of our goal setting and motivation, with my team had to be intentional, away from work. Have them over for dinner, to serve them, or take them out for dinner, to give them my full attention, and most importantly to build memories together.

During these gatherings we not only “grew closer”, but learned how to generate new ideas, identify and correct mistakes, recognize success and each other’s strengths, and celebrated by expressing genuine gratitude.

I love those who can smile in trouble,

who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.

Leonardo da Vinci

These “Reflection Sessions” were a positive tool for service learning. They helped to develop skills and to review one’s effectiveness.

Mostly we deliberated on the practice of hospitality (seva). What were our take-aways? How we can we go above and beyond and give more than expected to our customers, by way of service?

But the exercise of setting goals became most meaningful when we intentionally looked backed and recounted the past. It is an exercise worth trying.

Resilience: The ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. The act of leaping, or springing back; the act of rebounding.

As I look back on 2022, what stands out the most is human resiliency. Of the number of personal encounters I have had in the past year, it has been the resilience of the women, in particular, that has left an indelible impact on me.

With Lisa Taguchi in California.

Over the Christmas break, I was able to catch up with my dear friend and mentee, Lisa Taguchi. In our discussion I was yet again reminded that resilience requires toughness. In the middle of the pandemic Lisa broke away from the challenges of corporate life to start her own venture. She had learned how to face adversity growing up as a child.

None of us reach the achievements we desire, in our lives, careers or pursuits without dealing with the hurdles and the long road that lies ahead. Those obstacles that stand in the way and re-direct us from our dreams. It requires resilience.

I was captivated by Kiran Sukhani’s journey: Mother, fashion stylist, runway model, nutritionist, entrepreneur - all titles of which she is immeasurably proud. But there are also trophies, sashes and crowns that must be acknowledged….Mrs. India and Mrs. Universe 2018!

Kiran Sukhani, a resilient mindset that pushes her to keep going!

However, it was her outlook that caught my attention. “My resilient mindset pushes me to keep going. Some challenges are inevitable, I believe the support from my family and friends will get me to where I need to be.”

Lorraine Hahn is someone whose life has been a symbol of the resilient spirit. “I wanted to be a radio presenter, but was told I don’t have a ‘radio voice’. That I should try for a ‘television face’. I wanted to travel and do documentaries…to cover the Bosnian War, but I was told, ‘we don’t send women’. I knew I had to work harder to prove my worth in a male-dominated industry back in the 80’s. An unspoken truth, but a known fact.”

Lorraine Hahn, a resilient spirit!

In spite of those obstacles, Lorraine garnered distinction as one of Asia’s most widely known and watched female reporters. Her list of accomplishments is astounding: News Reporter, Presenter, News Editor, Producer, Anchor at CNN, CNBC and NBC; she is a speaker, moderator, lecturer, and media trainer.

My brief encounter with Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth II, in 1986.

Finally, I recall my brief encounter with Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. Needless to say the British Royal Family is experiencing challenges unlike those they have seen before. And regardless of where one stands on the “Royal Family”, I admire the late Queen’s ability to withstand and quickly recover from difficult circumstances - the art of resilience.

“Do not judge me by my successes. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela

This year my goal is to emulate other women and men who have demonstrated an incredible ability to cope with and recover from setbacks. My goal is to become more resilient.

Community Survey:

“Increase my network in order to be of service to more people.” - Hansa P.

“Setting boundaries.” - Meenu.

“Prioritize my health and well-being so I can be more present for my loved ones.” -Seema.

“To live & love others.” - Timmy C.

“To eat less carbs.” - P. Samtani.

My very best to you all for a healthy, happy 2023!! Thank you for your generous support and encouragement!