Videos to inspire a sense of hope for recovery and build resilience
Sharing stories of hope can help when there seems to be none. These stories of resilience demonstrate the amazing human ability to recover from challenges and build strengths.
Engine of Growth
Joseph talks about how parkour has become his engine of growth. It helps him reach his full potential even though he initially got into it because it was something he thought looked cool. Never underestimate the power of a good hobby or interest. These are some questions and discussion ideas for after viewing:
- In what ways could parkour help with depression? (exercise is good for depression, being socially connected is helpful, parkour could help build confidence and self-esteem, it may help with irrational thoughts by keeping things in perspective)
- What is your "engine of growth" and how does it help you?
- Have you ever tried something with an open mind and later realized that it turned out to be more beneficial than you expected? Are there any areas of treatment for mental health that might require an open mind to get started? Do any areas of treatment feel like hard work?
"With every broken bone, I swear I lived." Even broken bones can be seen as a sign of living life to the fullest. Talking about different kinds of challenges and the set backs that come along the way is a good discussion to have. These are some other ideas for discussion:
- What does living life to the fullest mean? What does wellness mean?
- What do people need to be able to recover?
- Give some examples of ways that challenges can become strengths.
- Identify examples of times people have already overcome set backs successfully.
There are actually two stories here about overcoming physical challenges. One is the narrator's and the other is the story of an Olympic pitcher with only one hand. Some great questions can come from these stories. With the right questions these stories can bring valuable insight about how mindset influences emotions and behaviors. Here are some questions and discussions for after viewing:
- What do you think of Jim Abott's dad telling him, "No, the other kids won't let you play baseball because you stink at baseball. You can't change the fact that you only have one hand, but you can change the fact that you stink at baseball?" Was he being mean? How do you know what his intentions were?
- Who is someone in your life that can be brutally honest with you to help you see situations more clearly?
- What is one obstacle in your life? What is something that you can do?
- Have you encountered people who don't believe you can overcome your obstacles? Would you like to prove them wrong? What if you are the one who doesn't believe you can overcome your obstacles?
Music has the power to inspire all on its own, but this music video is enhanced with several illustrations of people not allowing their physical challenges to hold them back. Sometimes physical challenges are easier to talk about because they can be seen. Those challenges translate well to other types of challenges like being poor, having been hurt in the past, or having a mental illness. These are some good talking points to follow with after viewing this X Ambassadors video:
- There is one person in the band who is blind. Do you think he's the only one in the band who has something that's difficult to deal with in his life? What other types of challenges could the rest of the band members have?
- Do some difficulties create strengths or special abilities in people? Would blindness possibly lead to extra abilities with hearing?
- One line in the video says, "It's not about enjoying things more or less, it's about enjoying them differently." What is something that you enjoy doing differently than most people?
Normally, trying is a good thing. Colbie Caillat tells people, more specifically women, that they don't have to try. It's a message of freedom from the pressure to be perfect. Letting go, accepting oneself, and encouraging others to be genuine are beautiful themes to share with those struggling with low self-esteem or self-image. These are follow-up questions to ask:
- What are some of the sources of social pressure to fit in?
- What are some of the more extreme things people do that make them less genuine?
- Why is it important to be genuine?
- Where can people get support for being themselves?
- Identify some places and situations where it's easy to be yourself.
What Makes a Hero?
This explanation of humanity's hero's journey can give hope and motivation tho those going through struggles. The beautiful thing about the hero's journey is that good things are coming. Characters find some new knowledge or insight as they progress through their journey. We're all someone on this journey, and we all have both struggles and accomplishments in our futures. These are a few follow-up questions:
- Where do you think you are on your "hero's journey?"
- Who is one person who has helped you on your journey?
- What is one journey that you have already progressed though all the stages?
- What do you anticipate will be your next challenge?
- What motivation do you have as a strength to help you through each step of your journey?