The Resilience Factor
I had no idea when I accepted the invitation to speak at Western Michigan University last wknd that I would be so honoured by them. We had a chuckle when I learned how lucky I was to be there because the students’ first choice – Michelle/Barack Obama — couldn’t make it! Over the course of two days, I met so many amazing scholars, many of whom were at some point in foster care, homeless or undocumented. They are all so resilient that I felt badly for being the one standing up to speak (for 45mins!), but from speaking to students individually, I was inspired. What I am most proud of is the fact that I was, in my own small way, able to bring to them a message not only of resilience, but also of hope and kindness — a message that goes against everything their current president represents, and the students were inspired: “If every nation planted a seed of kindness in the heart of every migrant, humanity will fluorish and be resilient.”
