Book Excerpt from The  resilient mind

Dr. C. A. Castillo

​The heart is the most important part of our body; however, the brain or mind is the most powerful. (Introduction)
Well-being is a sophisticated notion that involves mental, emotional, and physical wholeness. It is the cornerstone of how to live a full and enjoyable life. Well-being allows
people to find successful ways to cope with challenges that life may bring.
​It can help construct significant partnerships and accomplish personalized goals. Grit is the unrelenting perseverance and devotion for deep-rooted goals, despite
challenges and setbacks. It is a person’s inner drive or fortitude that keeps someone pushing when things are not going the way they would like. This inner drive can be the
difference between someone who accomplishes their goals from those who do not. Resilience is to bounce back when knocked down. It is also the ability to adapt,
overcome, and thrive when faced with life challenges. Some of these challenges may be related to stress, trauma, anger, anxiety, guilt, grief, or many other emotions.
Emotion plays a significant role in shaping the lives that people live. It influences how people handle life challenges, how relationships are formed, and how resiliency is
built. Understanding emotions like anger, anxiety, depression, grief, guilt, joy, and happiness may help people go through life’s challenges with greater self-awareness
and strength. (Chapter 2)



From the moment Dominique was born, she belonged to no one and to everyone at the same time. She came into the world in a small village in a third-world country, where the air was thick with the scent of earth after the rain and the voices of children echoed through narrow, winding paths. Her mother, a woman bound by duty to another family, loved her in the shadows. Her father, a man living an ocean away, acknowledged her existence but could not claim her in the open. Dominique was the secret no one could afford to hold too tightly. (Chapter 2)
Eustress, or positive stress, is a powerful force that fuels resilience, grit, and overall well-being. Unlike distress, which may overwhelm and hinder progress, eustress
motivates individuals to push beyond their comfort zones and grow stronger. Eustress enhances resilience by teaching people how to handle pressure without breaking.
(Chapter 3/4)