I like to focus on the positive and I try to see the glass half full—though I don’t always succeed. Like most people, I think, there are times when I feel beaten down by a situation out of my control. In these times, we face a choice: We can wallow or we can tap into our well of resilience. (Or do a bit of both.)

Everywhere we look in our community, we see resilience. Call it grit. Call it determination. In any case, it’s that inner strength that keeps us moving forward. Just look at John Hopkins of Oh Happy Day vegan café and grocery story, whom we profile on page 18. Or the Arlington Garden in Pasadena, which closed temporarily due to a structure fire (page 28). It is scheduled to reopen this summer.

“As much as resilience involves ‘bouncing back’ from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth,” according to the American Psychological Association. Getting to that positive, personal growth may take some practice. And it may not be a linear progression. It comes down to focusing on connection, wellness, healthy thinking and meaning, says the APA.

If you need a booster shot of resilience, the APA offers these strategies: