About a Resilient Nation
Changes are inevitable, resisting from change is part of the process especially when faced with adversities or stress. As we start to face the emergence of new technologies, business innovations, a growing population with growing minds, we are slowly witnessing that our society is brittle. We mold ourselves into social networks and organizations that allow us to be represented in society, we then soon realize that these investments are dictating the functions of our everyday lives. And we become brittle.
2020 marked the beginning of a new decade, we initially approached the year with enthusiasm for a fresh start. However, as summer progresses, we are faced with a chain of challenges, from wildfires, airplane crashes, racial tensions, explosions, natural disasters while being faced with Covid-19 pandemic. These stretches of events precipitate strings of actions from the government providing stimulus to heal the country’s economic wounds, businesses expanding to new innovations and individuals delving into new hobbies. However, these actions should also trigger to rethink the concept of resilience as a nation where the responsibility for resilience mainly lies in the hands of individuals, not institutions. A resilient society will enable better solutions to protect the weak and vulnerable “ones” whether it being your individual self or those surrounding you.
This concept is reflected as I stepped into the lives of Cica, Niti and Doni who grew up together in a home for disabled persons. Being born with a disability and growing up in a compound together did not hinder them from their own creativity and hard work. Niti won a competition for the best drawing, Cica never stopped learning new skills at school, while Doni was selected to train for the Asian Para Games. Not to mention, that they have learnt to earn their own income through maximising their own resources from selling Indonesian snacks to creating bracelets. Life in their homes is simple yet content as they enjoy the sunset from their homes in a nearby parking lot while exchanging conversations with passersby. Throughout their lives, they realise that they have gone through experiences that made them who they are today, stronger and embracing their individual selves. Although it’s not often that they leave the house, their distance towards the “ordinary society outside” makes them genuine to people approaching and closer to their own beliefs and values while growing. Being able to see the good in someone is their strongest capability as their intuitions grow stronger.
Cica, Niti and Doni reflect resilient individuals able to maximise happiness through optimizing their own resources. As much as the ever changing environment has affected them, their determination, beliefs and values are supporting mechanisms that create a strong bond to carry one another, making them a resilient nation. A resilient nation will require individuals to embrace the culture of resilience. The latter can be reflected in Cica, Niti and Doni’s experience.
Firstly, we have to accept and acknowledge our challenges in life, it is not unfair, yet supposed to happen for a reason. Secondly, look into the bright side, mistakes should make us think critically and question ourselves at the points we did wrong to improve, it is very critical to look into aspects of priority for the good of all. Thirdly, reflect on whether your actions will allow growth or instead push you further inside the shell.
With all these three outtakes, we can build a culture of resilience. We can efficiently take in information that are putting risks to vulnerable ones and provide a more effective solution, create proactive decisions on policies or investments, mobilise resources quickly to cater and support those with high risks of being impacted by disasters, build priority based decisions, hold together the hands of communities for help and eventually grow as a resilient nation.
