Looking to move past a hurt? Whether you are the victim or the aggressor, it’s time to speak up.
 
Resilience is your ability to “bounce back.” The American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant stress.” If you master this life skill, the likelihood that you will languish in feelings of victimization diminishes and the chances of your actualizing happiness and success increase. This doesn’t mean you haven’t been hurt, devastated or violated; it simply means you’ve determined that an experience does not have a permanent hold on your spirit. 
 
Famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud long championed the value of talk therapy in the healing process, but when it comes to actualizing resilience, pouring out one’s innermost thoughts on a couch or in a group session isn’t always enough. Often, the healing process requires communicating with someone besides a mental health professional. Whether it’s the person who’s hurt you, the individual experiencing the affects of your trauma or a trusted friend, sharing your pain is a key component in both moving forward and growing. There are many reasons to consider the value of speaking up when it comes to transforming your quality of life. In fact, experts have found that holding on to hurt doesn’t just impact mental health; it also diminishes your physical health and contributes to sleep and weight issues. In addition, the ability to speak about a hurt, or to apologize for imparting pain, is a key component of emotional closure, which allows an individual to fully embrace life after a trauma or setback.
 
Read more in the August 2015 issue of EBONY Magazine.