Said simply, resilience is the ability to bounce back from misfortune.

Nelson Mandela, who advocated against apartheid, was imprisoned for 27 years because of his stance against racial discrimination. Despite the harsh conditions and lengthy sentence, he maintained his commitment to justice and equality. When he was released, he significantly influenced the transition of South Africa to democracy and became the country’s first black president.

This true story can also serve as a metaphor to the posture we should adopt in the face of adversity and setbacks. They may be severe and prolonged but with commitment we can recover and even excel.