By Shazad

I learned about snow for the first time at age 5 when I started kindergarten in the suburbs of Toronto. I had to cross a high-school football field and then a soccer field twice a day to attend school until I started high school.

It was the 1970’s and the winter months were the worst in terms of bitter cold North winds against my face, knee-high snow and slushy puddles every day. I felt tired, sick and miserable every time winter came. As I grew a little older I become stronger, more resilient and appreciative of the daily struggle to come and go to school. I adapted to the cold and found simple solutions to keeping my feet warmer and dry. I learned that I was could enjoy winter and endure the hardship.

Doing tough things in childhood made me understand what it is like to suffer and keep going. Doing difficult things from time to time is good for everyone. Now that I’m older I can appreciate these lessons.

Here’s how you can also become more resilient:

Do hard or challenging things every week. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable on a regular basis.
Think about what is growth opportunity when you are going through a tough moment in life and do your best.
Prepare yourself for hardship by conditioning your mind, body and spirit to tolerate whatever may come your way. You will still be surprised from time to time but you can minimize the stress you would feel by not anticipating some issues in life.