Studies of children from abused home situations or who have mentally ill or otherwise dysfunctional parents show that about fifteen percent grow up to be well-adjusted.  These kids make a bond to themselves. People who overcome great difficulties have a trusted, trusting relationship with themselves. They know that if all else fails, they have a sacred entity within themselves -- what Saint Peter calls the inner man of the heart. They are aware of the inner core of themselves that is always there, that never ages and dies.
      - From At The Leading Edge (interviews by Michael Toms).  This quote is from an interview of Marsha Sinetar (author of Do What You Love, And The Money Will Follow).

How do we build that inner relationship with our sacred entity, the source of our resourcefulness and independent action? In part, we gain that from our relationship or relationships with others who believe in us. Studies have shown that people who overcome extreme adversity as children have encountered someone in that difficult childhood who believed in them, and who convinced them of their value as a human being with something to contribute.

Another key element has to be encountering adversity and triumphing or at least surviving it. There is the famous study of sailors in World War II who survived the sinking of their ships in the bitterly cold North Atlantic waters. The survivors were disproportionately older men, though logic might indicate that younger, more physically fit sailors would be more likely to survive. The older sailors though had a toughness built from encountering adversity in their past and overcoming it. They didn't give up easily.

Like most skills and aptitudes, inner resourcefulness and strength can be cultivated. The process is one of continually strengthening your relationship with your deep inner core. Meditation and journaling, regularly checking in with that inner sacred entity, and asking it for advice are important. So is pushing the envelope of one's comfort zone and triumphing, even if only in small incremental steps. Finally concentrate on your uniqueness. Build a life around contributing something important to the lives of others, something unique, something only you can do. And stick with it. 

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Below, a two page spread from the upcoming Heron Dance journal, Nurturing The Song Within. You can download a PDF of the two-page spread pictured below here, or click in the image.
To be published in early March. You can pre-order the Collector’s Edition printed on premium paper, superb image reproduction quality, high-end binding, here.