05 Jun What My Father—and a Fire—Taught Me About Resilience

by Kalika Yap

Dear Entrepreneur,

Og Mandino once wrote:

Simple.
Profound.
And precisely what resilient entrepreneurs learn to do—again and again.

This quote lives in my bones. It comes from The Greatest Salesman in the World, one of my most treasured books—not just for its wisdom, but because it was gifted to me by my father when I was only nine years old.

My father, an entrepreneur himself, had an incredible ability to face hardship with grace. Quiet strength. Steady optimism. He had a way of keeping his head pointed toward the sun—even when life sent clouds.

That book, and his example, laid a foundation in me.
And this year, it was put to the test.

A Fire, A Disruption, A Reckoning

In January, the Palisades fire forced my family and me out of our home. In the chaos of evacuation and the stress of disruption, I was reminded how quickly life can shift.

We were uprooted. Displaced. And everything—from business logistics to bedtime routines—was turned upside down.

It was messy. Stressful. Uncertain.
And yet… it was also clarifying.

There’s something that happens when life clears the table. You begin to see what’s essential.
What’s true. What’s worth rebuilding.
The fire tested me—but it also illuminated me.

Turning Setbacks Into Strength: A Resilience Practice

Hard moments don’t need to define us—but they do refine us. If you’re moving through your own fire—literal or metaphorical—here’s a guide that helped me find solid ground again:

1. Pause and Reflect
   Before jumping to fix, breathe.
   Give yourself permission to be still. Clarity often waits in silence.
2. Ask: What Is This Teaching Me?
   Every challenge is a messenger.
   It might be asking you to realign your priorities, let go of what no longer fits, or strengthen your foundation.
   
3. Spot the Seed of Good
   Even in the ashes, something meaningful may be growing.
   A shift in your values.
   A surprising new connection.
   An inner resource you didn’t know you had.
   
4. Shift the Narrative
   Instead of “Why is this happening to me?” try:
   “What is this making possible?”
   

5. Take Thoughtful Action
   One small step. That’s all it takes to begin.
   Send the email. Ask for help. Rest.

6. Share What You’ve Learned
   Your story may be the lifeline someone else is waiting for.

When I Finally Returned Home…

After weeks of displacement, we were finally able to return home to the Palisades. I was bracing myself to see what was lost.

But what greeted me instead?
Calla lilies.

In full bloom.
Lemon and orange trees overflowing with fruit.

What had once been threatened was still alive. Still flourishing.

It reminded me of a truth I’ve known—but had to relearn:
Even when life feels scorched and bare, growth finds a way.
Seeds planted long ago will rise.