Cultivating - a Resilient Spirit

 

 

 

 

Cultivating Self-Compassion was one of the hardest things I have ever tried to do.

 

But it inspired in me new topic for my next Defiant Joy essay. For this I am grateful.

 

(This is Chloe - she is a American Mulefoot Hog the rarest of American swine breeds. It is considered a “heritage” breed as it was prevalent in the United States until the 1960s. The most distinctive feature of this pig is that it has a solid hoof. This is thought to prevent hoof-root and make the pig healthier. The Mulefoot is large, docile, hearty, and healthy and is unique to the United States. Today fewer than 200 registered. In 1985, only one herd of American Mulefoot Hogs remained. This herd belonged to Mr. R.M. Holiday in Missouri, he continued to raise the pigs as his father and grandfather before him had because he believed they were less likely to be lame (a problem for many pigs today) and were more resistant to diseases. Because of his grit (resilience or perseverance) the American Mulefoot Hog exists today.)

 

 

This week - the focus is - Cultivating a Resilient Spirit - Letting go of Numbing and Powerlessness.

 

For this reason I share the following research paper: Grit Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals; Journal of Personality and Psychology, 2007.

 

 

 

"In a qualitative study of the development of world-class pianists, neurologists, swimmers, chess players, mathematicians, and sculptors Bloom (1985) noted that "only a few of the (120 talented individuals in the sample) were regarded as prodigies by teachers, parents, or experts" pg. 533.

Rather, accomplished individuals worked day after day, for at least 10 to 15 years, to reach the top of their fields.
 Bloom observed that in every studied field, the general qualities possessed by high achievers included a strong interest in the particular field, a desire to reach - a high level of attainment in that field - and a willingness to put in great amounts of time and effort.

Creators must be able to persist in the face of difficulty and overcome many obstacles in the way of creative discovery ... drive and energy in childhood are more predictive of success...than is IQ or some other more domain specific ability."