Fragility and Resilience

This past weekend, while staying with family out of town, I fell halfway down a flight of stairs. One second I was walking, the next, I was tumbling—completely out of control, vulnerable, and helpless. It was a moment that reminded me how fragile we really are.

Lying on the floor, taking stock, I stared at my bruised and bloodied hand, my aching knee, and let the emotions hit in waves: fear, frustration, and eventually, gratitude. Gratitude that nothing was broken, even though the sharp reminder of how quickly the ground can disappear beneath us lingered.

It brought me back to an old motocross crash. Lying on the ground, assessing the damage, shaking it off, and wondering what would hurt later. And just like that time, I got up—shaky, determined—and reminded myself of this truth:

Life is fragile, but we are not.

We have fragile little bodies. That’s just the reality of being human.

Whether it’s a fall down the stairs, a motorcycle crash, an unexpected loss, or a life-altering decision, moments of disruption remind us that nothing is guaranteed. Our plans, our health, even the ground beneath our feet—none of it. 

Fragility isn’t weakness. It’s a call to recenter ourselves . It’s a reminder to ask ourselves: What are you holding onto? And what are you ready to let go of?

Resilience isn’t about avoiding the falls. It’s not about pretending we’re invincible or pushing through without acknowledgment.

Resilience is in the getting up. I never thought of staying there. It’s in the gratitude I felt for what didn’t happen. The recognition that I can keep moving forward. 

This tumble down the stairs wasn’t life-changing, not this time. But it was a microcosm of something bigger. Every time life knocks us down—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually—we’re given a choice.

Get up or stay down. Build resilience or give in.

It’s not about bouncing back to who we were before. It’s about stepping forward as someone stronger, someone who knows how to navigate life’s fragility with a little more grace, a little more compassion—maybe even for ourselves. 

Moments like this remind me of my own winding path this year. 2024 has been a year of fragility and strength, vulnerability and resolve.

Nothing about it has been a straight line. It’s been one disruption after another. But it’s also been a year of learning how to get up—again and again.

When I fell on Saturday, It could have ruined the weekend of holiday celebration and family togetherness. But that’s not me. I got up and dusted myself off.

And isn’t that the lesson in every fall? To rise up, take stock, and embrace the wisdom that comes from life’s most unexpected disruptions?

The next time you feel fragile—whether it’s from a literal fall, a failure, or the heaviness of where you are right now—remember this:

You are not your fragile moments.
You are the strength and resilience that rises afterward.

So take a moment to reflect on your recent falls. How did you get up, and what did you learn?

Because the truth is, in those moments of fragility, we are often reminded, sometimes physically, to get up and keep moving forward. 

Because yes, life and our bodies can be fragile. But you and me? We are not.

If these ideas resonate and you’re ready to explore your own growth, let’s connect. Book a call with me to see how we can work together on your development.