The Capacity to Cope

There are those who believe that the passage of time  brings with it wisdom and serenity…that the older an individual gets the easier life becomes.

Each day I am a little older and I’ve been around for quite a few decades so I claim the benefit of my own limited knowledge and experience. And I’m here to say that life doesn’t necessarily become easier. My current reality is that – as in my youth – some days are diamonds and some days are stone.

The thing that makes the difference is the capacity to cope…the ability to take the cards that life deals, remain as poker-faced and controlled as possible, and stay in the game.

The Wikipedia definition? “Coping means to invest own conscious effort, to solve personal and interpersonal problems, in order to master, minimise or tolerate stress and conflict.”

Coping is not a natural reaction. It’s a learned response. It takes investment, effort and action. That’s why some people are better at it than others.

To a greater or lesser degree we all have emotional resources to call on when it comes to dealing with the situations we encounter. The good news is that those resources can be accumulated, bolstered, strengthened and stockpiled – nurtured and kept in reserve for when they are needed. And they will be needed.

The mysteries of the coping mechanism have been studied for many years. The result is that there are effective strategies available. Not every strategy will work for every individual in each and every situation. But there’s something out there for everyone.

It’s a matter of finding something positive and productive that is a good fit and embracing it. It’s worth the effort.