My overthinking mind is almost confused by this quote because I feel that getting up after falling down is success all on its own. I understand what he’s trying to convey. I agree that the success isn’t always what should be applauded but rather the work and resilience that it took to get to that success. It makes me think of the lightbulb. This invention is something we all take for granted today but was a miraculous, magical creation way back when. Now we all know it was a success credited to Thomas Edison but what we forget is how many times he and others failed but tried again. Nelson Mandela’s successes within racism are historic but here he’s reminding us that it’s not about the win… it’s about the fight.

Resilience is what keeps us going, keeps us fighting and keeps us stepping forward towards success. It’s the resilience we need to celebrate. The moments that we were kicked, beaten and defeated but refused to stay that way. Resilience is the journey to an even better tomorrow.

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.