Unconquerable

When my girls were little and bedtime stories were still a much anticipated event, I remember feeling concern about the influence of fairytales…with the dark, sometimes sinister villain and the introduction of heartbreak (mean sisters…parents passing away… poverty). It was a relief and made so much sense when I read a parenting book that pointed out that it is a good thing for our children to experience the ‘negative’ emotions of fear, sadness, anger in a safe environment where we can help them process this. Most of us as parents want to protect our children from pain, but this will not work in their favour long-term.

Resilience, as defined by the Miriam-Webster dictionary is “the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress; an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change”.

Like many of you, when I feel like I’ve hit the floor with life overwhelming me in crushing waves, I look to inspiring people who have overcome incredible hardship, injustice and trauma….and come out victorious. I cling to the inspiring people in my world (and their stories) who have overcome poverty, bankruptcy, untimely and tragic deaths of loved ones, illness, betrayal, violence and abuse. The human spirit is a wonder... resilient at its core.

In the movie Invictus, it shares a poem that Nelson Mandela often found strength and solace in. A timeless poem by William Ernest Henley (published in 1888) that is a call to courage for our unconquerable souls.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

ABOUT

Michelle J Castaneda is a change catalyst and business leader with over 20 years of corporate and NFP experience. As an Executive Manager Michelle champions change for growth and good, builds high performing teams and community wherever she goes, and encourages people to lead with purpose. She is a Leadership Advisor, Consultant and Mentor. She holds BEc(Soc.Sci.) and GradDipCIT qualifications and is currently undertaking an MBA at AGSM (UNSW Business School). She lives in Sydney with her husband and their children.