With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

As my colleagues and I ponder some of the thoughts on our blog, we are overwhelmed at the tapestry of resilience and tenacity in the face of some of life's unfairness.

A question that often arises in medical circles is whether or not resiliency and the ability to bounce back from adversity are genetic. In other words, is it "set" by our DNA or our basic biology? To some extent this might be true, but innovative studies do document that to some extent our attitude can modify how we respond to a stressor.

For example, the opportunity recently arose to speak in another city at a medical meeting. Multiple flights were delayed and it was interesting to see the reaction of travelers. Some were despondent, literally slumped to the floor at the thought of missing a family reunion, and others became belligerent and angry. Yet, there were some who simply accepted the news with poise and dignity and were prepared for the inevitable frustrations.

Some of these individuals had books with them, or knitting, and others had laptops and were fully prepared to take advantage of these hours which they had not expected. Their attitude created a reality which went something like this, "OK, this is not a good deal, I would not have wished it this way, but the way it is is the way it is. So, how can I make the most out of this inconvenience?" These are the folks who somehow survive, who decrease the risk of an ulcer or a heart attack, and face the future with creative optimism.

Yes, to some extent there is a "set point" for resiliency but we can each learn creative coping skills — as we are hearing in our blogs every day.

For those of us who continue to learn, what one or two tactics have others used to keep moving forward in the face of one roadblock after another?

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