If you are wondering how to build resilience in your life, you are not alone. Studies show that the people who emerge from seasons of distress and suffering the strongest are those who can find the good in the midst of it all. But how? How do we find hope and develop resilience in the midst of disappointment or despair?

In this episode, Rachel and Robin help answer this question by discussing an essay from author Emily Esfahani Smith, The 4 Pillars of Meaning That Will Help Us Emerge From the Pandemic Better Than Before. Based on her research from her best-selling book, The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters, Smith explains the four tools that can help us grow and learn from traumatic situations. It's a process that is sure to help us understand ourselves and the world around us in a more meaningful way.

SHOW NOTES

Discussion based on an essay, The 4 Pillars of Meaning That Will Help Us Emerge From the Pandemic Better Than Before by Emily ESfahani Smith. Smith is also the author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. Her TED talk based on her book, There's More to Life Than Being Happy, has more than 8 million views.

3:00 Want a quick update on the search for a match for bone marrow transplant for Matt? Want to join us in wearing a #TeamMatt bracelet? You're going to love this news!

7:00 We all enjoy life's ups more than the downs, but here's why the downs are just as important as the ups.

10:00 Tragic optimism sounds like an oxymoron, but does it have the opportunity to shape our crisis experiences?

12:50 Here's the first tool that can help us develop tragic optimism. It's something we all long for and can give others.

16:30 Rachel points out that Robin is grieving this during her time away from her home.

18:30 This second pillar is one that will suffer without it, no matter what we call it or how we define it.

This tip can help you when you feel like your not living your life's purpose.

This third tool is something we love to hear about others, but struggle to share our own. Here's why this pillar helps us make sense of the world and how it connects us to God's bigger picture.

Do you have trouble embracing the difficult, shameful parts of your life's story? You're not alone.

This fourth tool or pillar is the one that connects the other three together and all of us to something bigger than ourselves.

Want to connect with Robin and Rachel?

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