I don’t relate to the childhood my kids have experienced. They live a charming life with two parents who love each other and never fight, a stable home with financial security, and a family vacation every year. I didn’t have any of those things growing up.
On the one hand, I envy them. On the other hand, I worry. Did I build resilience in them? Will they be able to handle adversity?
There has been so much extreme weather with devastating results to people’s lives and livelihoods. I see the looks on their faces as we watch the evening news together. James once said to me he didn’t think he could handle what I have had to handle.
It made me think about the book Grit. A story about a podcast host who poses this question to what she calls, the mega successful.
“What would you do if you lost everything?”
I thought about how I would answer that question. My gut reaction was… it’s not possible to lose everything.
Losing a loved one or losing your mental faculties would feel like everything. Though I don’t believe that is what the questioner meant. They were likely asking what you would do if you lost your clients, your business, your home, or your savings.
But that’s not everything.
The knowledge I’ve built over time, the experiences that I’ve had, the impact that I’ve made, the relationships I treasure – that’s everything.
So, I can’t lose everything. Sure, I can lose a client or some money, but there’s so many things that can never be taken away.
How would you answer the question, “What would you do if you lost everything?”
For me, it depends on what I actually lost.
Have a fun and safe July 4th as we celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave!