“What doesn’t break you makes you stronger.” I’ve heard this casual cliché time and time again, but I never really understood it until I was forced to grasp a deeper, transformative concept that requires intentional reflection and practice. I thought this cliché statement was just something said when we didn’t know how to react to others’ struggles and challenging times—in hopes it would spark a positive outlook. But boy, was I wrong, because it’s deeper than that, so let’s delve into it a little more.

Life is full of unexpected times, and no matter how much we think and overthink, fueling ourselves with stress and anxiety, we cannot change what is destined to befall us. The tribulations that encounter us on the journey called life are beyond our control, no matter what the number reads in your bank account or the status you hold. However, what we do have control over—very much so—is how we react to what comes our way. Our reaction will guide our redirection. Do we jump in to start blaming external factors, or do we duck down, filled with fear and anxiety, frantically waiting for the “bad times” to pass? Or do we take the obstacle for what it is and remain resilient, standing strong in those difficult times, allowing our reflections and inner thoughts to bring us out of the shackles, stronger and wiser? I believe this approach to combating difficult times is the key to becoming resilient in life, and I feel it is one of my responsibilities to share in hopes it will help someone.

The Power of Embracing Emotions and Building Resilience

Here are some insights to help us approach life’s challenges with an open and reflective mindset. But before jumping in, let us describe the word “strength.” To be strong is to sense and recognize your feelings and the struggle that the challenge brings, yet remain positive and determined. It is beneficial to be mindful of the emotions we experience and to understand ourselves more as we ask questions—in an attempt to understand ourselves on a deeper level. Whether the emotion is hurt, anger, or any of the many emotions our brain is capable of sensing, we have the power to stop resisting and allow the experience to pass, like a cloudy day’s forecast. Resistance causes inner turmoil, stripping away self-confidence and gratitude for our current reality and what is to come. Isolation is not the answer unless we want to attach ourselves and remain in turmoil. I believe that being strong is a skill we consistently exercise day after day, and the more battles we rise above, the more strength and resilience are built.

Trusting in Allah’s Wisdom During Hardship

There is no way we can even begin to think of “strength” without first building a connection with Allah and cultivating our trust and patience with the One and the Almighty. Our level of connection with Allah correlates directly to how we respond to the hurdles we experience. We must hold firm to the belief that anything we are tested with has good in it. And even if we don’t get to witness the reward directly, we hold on to faith, knowing that we will see the rewards manifest in other ways and in the hereafter. Furthermore, we must recognize that everything difficult we face can lead us to become more aware and in touch with reality, guiding us through life’s challenges. “So, surely with hardship comes ease” (Quran 94:5).

Embracing the Present Moment for Inner Peace

Now that we’ve set up the framework on which we build strength, we can explore the benefits of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of being, and the more it’s practiced, the less we live in our heads and the more we live in the present moment. Life is fleeting minute after minute, but we hold the power to savor and enjoy each moment. There are a few ways we can practice mindfulness, one of which is mindful breathing. Do you ever feel like you’re on the go, rushing to complete task after task, feeling like you can’t catch your breath? Try slowing down your pace. Take your time doing daily tasks and feel the movement of all that you do. Tapping into your senses can bring you out of your head and into your body. Exercise of your choice is a great tool to practice connecting back with your body. Maintaining a mindful state will allow you to conquer your life moment by moment instead of consuming your energy on thoughts about the uncertain future.

Life’s challenges are inevitable, but our response to them determines our growth. While many see the phrase “What doesn’t break you makes you stronger” as a simple cliché, its true meaning runs much deeper. Resilience comes not from avoiding difficulties, but from facing them with a mindset of strength and understanding. By practicing mindfulness and embracing our emotions, we can navigate obstacles with a positive and reflective approach, rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety, or resistance. Connecting with Allah and trusting in His wisdom plays a vital role in building resilience, as faith can guide us through hardship. Ultimately, strength is a skill we build over time, and through daily practices that connect us back to our Creator, we can learn to stay grounded and present in the now, finding growth and wisdom even in our most difficult moments.

Kindly,

Khawla