The thrill of coming home has never changed. –Tom Petty

What an incredible time of year.  It is “homecoming” season on college and high school campuses across America.  Time-honored traditions.  Pomp and pageantry.  And the re-kindling of deep connections with old classmates, teammates and teachers who shaped us during our formative years.

For many alums, homecoming truly is like coming home.  It is more than just re-living the glory days and reminiscing.  It is more than just watching a football game.  It is an opportunity to come back to a safe place and peel away the pressures of the outside world.  It is an opportunity to express appreciation for the people who offered advice and encouragement through our years of adversity and angst.  And most importantly, it is an opportunity to carve out time to bond with lifelong friends.

And there was no homecoming event more glorious than this past weekend at Georgetown Prep.   The campus was electric.  Alums from the Class of 1947 right through the most recent graduates gathered together to celebrate a place that transformed their lives and molded their high moral character.    The football team dominated.  The crowds cheered.  And the alums soaked in the tradition and warmth of Georgetown Prep.

The importance of homecoming cannot be understated.  Everyone needs a place to feel safe.  Everyone needs a place to relax and be yourself.  Everyone needs a place to call home.

And couldn’t we all use a place like that in our work and personal lives?

Comfort Gives Us Strength

In our work lives, things don’t always go our way.  We may lose a client.  We may blow a deal.  We may end up on the wrong side of office politics.  We may hit the wall and lose our motivation.  Everyone experiences a challenge at some point in their careers.  Everyone has to dig deep and overcome setbacks and adversity.  But how do we move on in the face of defeat? How do we move forward when it seems the whole world is against us?

We need to focus outward.  We need to find a place to call home.  We need to find a connection that will augment our own strength and fortitude.  We can’t get there alone.  Perhaps it is a co-worker we trust and respect.  Perhaps it is a manager that has our back.  Perhaps it is a client we know will remain loyal.

In times of stress, this support and comfort gives us strength.  We recognize we are not alone.  Resilience thrives when we are able to step back and gain some much needed perspective.

We Can’t Do It Alone

The same is true in our personal lives.  Life is not always sunshine and puppy dogs.  Sometimes it is hard to smile.  We may lose a relationship. We may fall behind in our finances.  We may betray someone’s trust.  We may feel like our backs are against the wall.  We may feel as if the whole world is coming down on us.  In times like these, we can’t close ourselves off.  We can’t retreat and feel like a victim.  We have to search for a place that feels like home.  We have to seek the warmth of familiarity and comfort.

Perhaps it is a serene vacation escape.  Perhaps it is a fulfilling hobby. Perhaps it is vigorous exercise.  Perhaps it is a trusted circle of friends.  Perhaps it is a supportive family.  Perhaps it truly is going home. (Mom’s chicken soup always hits the spot!)  Whatever it is, we have to seek out this place.  We can’t bury our heads and hope to power through on our own.

Resilience is a Place to Call Home

Resilience is about more than demonstrating toughness and grit.  It is about more than displaying perseverance and a positive attitude.  We have all heard the cliche to  “step out of our comfort zone”.  And that is largely true.  It is important to reach beyond the familiar and stretch our talents and potential.  But sometimes resilience is counter-intuitive.  Sometimes resilience requires us to take a step back to find comfort in our surroundings.

Resilience can be found in the familiarity of trusted friends, the support of family, and the simple beauty of time-honored traditions.  Resilience can be found by leaning on our inner circle and recognizing that we can’t do it alone.  Resilience can be found by seeking comfort so we can build up the strength to fight another day.

We have to find the place that allows us to stay positive and motivated.  We have to find the place that allows us to stay resilient.

And sometimes, we can find that place in the most familiar surroundings.  Just ask anyone who stepped foot on campus at Georgetown Prep this weekend.  Everyone needs a place to call home.