In these challenging times, resilience has become one of the most essential qualities. We all need not only to manage daily challenges but also to remain effective over the long haul.
There’s an old parable:
In a forest, two woodcutters spent their days chopping trees from morning to evening. One worked tirelessly, not taking a single break. The other would leave for an hour every day in the middle of the day and then return to continue working. Strangely enough, the second woodcutter always managed to chop more wood.
One day, the first woodcutter couldn’t hold back and asked:"Where do you go every day? And how do you manage to chop more wood than I do?"
To which the second replied:"Where? I go home to sharpen my axe."
This parable reminds us all that to be effective, we must take care of our most important tool. And in today’s world, that tool is us.
We can grit our teeth, hold our breath, and keep pushing through without pause. But that only works for a short sprint. Over the long run, this approach leads to burnout, chronic stress, and declining health.
To build resilience, we need to regularly "sharpen our axe":
Take time for rest and recovery.
Relax, listen to our bodies, and clear our nervous system.
Stay connected with ourselves to avoid wasting energy on unnecessary tension.
Resilience is not about fighting circumstances; it’s about adapting, preserving your resources, and acting in alignment with yourself.
Are you sharpening your axe? How do you care for yourself to keep moving forward? Share in the comments — your practices might inspire others!
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