Resiliency in the Face of Change

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- I was once invited to speak for a group of people who got displaced by war. It was an evacuation center cramped with people who all lost their belongings, their livelihood, and probably their hopes for redemption. They recounted houses that were set on fire, armed rebels forming a barricade, and the sound of rifles coming from all sides. Their once normal existence was suddenly gone in just a matter of days.

I speak inside convention centers, and formal events but an evacuation center was a different environment. First of all, I could not speak their language, and second, they are still in the middle of their grief. This talk was different. Held in their arms were infants sweating in the heat of the day and the elderly lining up to get their food packs. I saw how difficult it was to speak for a crowd when there are so many things happening. As I visited their makeshift encampments, I began to notice something different. While I saw tears in their eyes, they did not show any signs of despair. While their faces bear the mark of sadness, they were not hopeless. I listened to their stories and I was surprised by how resilient people are amid the tragedy.

What everyone is going through today is no different. We are experiencing sudden changes but on a larger scale. The economy is hit hard, and the state of the world is uncertain. Nothing will prepare us for calamities. As we brace for the times ahead, allow me to share what I learned from a group of people who were displaced by war.

They Grieved but They did not Give up

Giving up was simply not a choice. Being in the condition they were in, anyone could just easily lose the will to carry on. But what was inspiring were children playing outside as if the tragedy was a mere phase in their lives. Parents were doing their daily chores showing strength in the eyes of their children. Life does not stop just because things are different. We just learn to pick ourselves up and carry on.

They Lost their Livelihood but They Kept Themselves Busy

Evacuation centers are not places where you see helplessness. On contrary, they were very organized and took roles in ensuring everyone stays well informed and given all their needs. People were stepping up and became examples of discipline and leadership. They have rules and they follow them religiously. They look empowered, not waiting for things to happen. They showed initiative and extended their support to others.

They Lost Their Properties but They have Abilities

Resourcefulness comes naturally when we are faced with a crisis. We rise up to the occasion. Take for example a woman who was taken captive by the rebels but fainted in the process. Some random stranger pulled her to safety and was able to flee the barricades. She knows of no other skill but to cook and started to bring that skill to feed the community in the evacuation center. Bad experiences were not an excuse for her to keep going. She even went on and served her fellow evacuees.

Their Lives Changed but They are still Eager to Learn and Discover

Their attentiveness during my talk was amazing. These are people who are willing to learn and were not distracted. They asked questions, took notes, and kept their humor. Their focus was admirable and time passed with ease. We had a great time and we all left refreshed and inspired.

These are signs of resiliency that are hidden in plain sight. These are the qualities I want to highlight because this is what all of us need, a different perspective on how to cope with challenges.

As I ended my talk, I saw gratitude on their faces. A spark of hope to bring to their makeshift homes. They were not alone in their struggles. I traveled back to the city and brought with me a token. It was a guitar handcrafted by an evacuee. Carved on it was the word “Marawi." This was to remind me of what resilience truly is.