I’ve mentioned before the silver linings that have come from having cancer. Yes, I lost a breast, but what I’ve gained? Sorry breast cancer. I got the better end of the deal. Seriously.
I’m not talking physically (yet), because that’s still a work in progress. I’m talking about the outpouring of love I’ve felt, the people I’ve met, the opportunities I’ve had to share my story and outlook, a strengthening of my beliefs, growth in my children, a renewed marriage… I could go on for days.
The other morning, I was listening to the radio when I heard this: “Psychologists studying post-traumatic growth find that many people thrive in the aftermath of adversity.”
I wanted to roll down my minivan window and shout, “Did you hear that??? It’s not just me! Other people think good things come out of bad times, too! I’m not crazy!”
Then I realized if I started yelling at strangers that might make me a little bit, um, crazy… So instead, I’m sharing it with you!
Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman and HuffPost Senior Writer Carolyn Gregoire wrote a new book called Wired to Create: Unravelling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind. I haven’t read it, but I found this excerpt on the Huffington Post website.*
“Growth after trauma can take a number of different forms, including a greater appreciation for life, the identification of new possibilities for one’s life, more satisfying interpersonal relationships, a richer spiritual life and a connection to something greater than oneself, and a sense of personal strength. […] Psychologists have found that experiences of trauma also commonly lead to increased empathy and altruism, and a motivation to act for the benefit of others.”
Yep. Yep. And Yep!
If you’re in the middle of a storm right now, I hope those words spill over you and refresh your soul in a way you never thought possible. You can’t see what’s on the other shore yet, but let this be one more assurance that it’s gonna be better than you know, my friend. Just keep swimming.
*You can read the whole article here. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/post-traumatic-growth-creativity_568426c0e4b014efe0d9d8e8