Have you ever been on an elementary school campus? It’s an almost magical experience.

There are little people asking questions about the simplest things in life that we, as adults, have come to take for granted.

You’ll see kids running. Lots of hugs and toothless smiles exchanged between friends.

And, maybe most impactfully, you’ll hear the joyous sound of laughter and silliness filling the air. The laughter echoes and is carried throughout the campus, like a little sprinkling of happiness over everyone privileged enough to be there.

You’d never expect any form of violence here. The mere presence of it, against our vulnerable children, is a paradox that’s just too much to bear.

The most recent school massacre in Uvalde, Texas has left us all feeling a bit helpless and even angry. The Uvalde community, parents, educators and all affected have our most heartfelt prayers. While we collectively mourn and reflect, we are all unanimously asking the question; “What do we do now?”

The answers to this question are wide-ranging and varied but one thing is certain; we all need resilience.

Here are five ways to build your own resilience through traumatic and tragic events:

1. Change The Narrative. If you find yourself rehearsing thoughts like “this will never end” , try instead to focus on times in your life when difficult situations did come to an end and how you made it through.
2. Express Your Fears. Whether through writing, speaking, or even music, releasing the fear of the unknown helps to strengthen your inner resolve to keep going in the face of trauma.
3. Lean into community. Sometimes trauma, be it collective or individual, can make us feel like turning “inward.” Fight this urge by reaching out to someone you love and trust about how you really feel.
4. Find service opportunities. Feeling useful during tragedy often helps motivate us to keep moving forward until we have moved past.
5. Practice Self-Awareness. Pay attention to your mood, language, and behaviors during times of stress. This type of mindfulness empowers you to choose a different, more resilient response.