A lot of us have had some pain and suffering in our past. Some of us have had serious trauma. We could have posttraumatic stress. However, that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. There is a way to also gain posttraumatic growth.

Negative experiences from our past can move us into some positive changes. We have survived what we went through. No matter what it was, we are here.

So let me ask you….if you went through something in your past, what new possibilities arose for you? How did you adapt to the changes that occurred? What strengths do you now have? Did you become a bit better at noticing patterns or habits or other things? Did you gain a new appreciation for life? Can you relate better with others because your sense of compassion has increased? How did you grow spiritually?

I do want to acknowledge that if this content seems naïve or too optimistic, it may be because you haven’t yet had enough time and distance away from what happened. And somethings may never be completely okay for you, like a death of a loved one. So, please be patient with yourself as you work through the process of growth. It cannot be forced or rushed.

However, if you have been through something in your past and are ready to look at your healing journey, it is really worth the effort to see what you have gained from your suffering.

Watch this video for more.

Tip: Take a moment to think about those questions. Recognize within yourself your strength and compassion. Review the past to see how far you have come. Notice the changes. Focus on gratitude for the experience. Expand to a higher level of conscious awareness through what you have been through. If emotions arise, breathe in through the nose and let go of the breath slow and steady through the mouth to keep the body calm and relaxed throughout this experience.

Hope this is helpful! Want more? We provide workshops focusing on coping skills. Contact us today to see how we can help!

Past in the sand image via Shutterstock