Reading an article by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, they wrote about post-traumatic stress and how we do not hear about post-traumatic growth. This triggered such inspiration in me for that is the work I do as a Chrysalis Transformation coach. This term, post-traumatic growth, is the positive change that individuals experience after a traumatic event. It reflects the profound and positive changes one experiences in understanding oneself without denying the deep distress of the trauma. It is a term that resonates with the clients I work with as they experience this beautiful growth.

Within every challenge is an opportunity, turning the victim into the victor. It is an experience of amassing wisdom. We have the choice of replaying the trauma repeatedly, blaming, and impressing the emotion we felt into our consciousness, rather like being branded…or…we can learn the lesson and become wiser. Eventually, with enough practice, we can have gratitude for what occurred because, through it, we have grown and are grateful for it happening.

Post-traumatic growth comes from forgiving and compassion. For in that act, we release ourselves from the dark, dense energy that eventually will create dis-ease or bigger stress within us and with others. We forgive for the effect it has on us; not for how forgiveness affects the other person or people. And when we forgive ourselves, we go free.

It is the freedom I feel when I watch a vulture circle round and round upwards in the infinite sky. To me, this represents the path of humankind, moving and ever-expanding into greater realms through becoming wiser and forgiving our pasts. In post-traumatic stress, we see no options except to be at the effect of the incident. In post-traumatic growth, we have many options.

Adopting a healthier lifestyle is one option that can contribute to and support new ways of thinking. Our growth comes from understanding that we are the creators, not the victims of the past. Every time we meditate, catch our harsh words and change them, and are generous in spirit with ourselves and those around us, we add to the spirit of consciousness and to the evolution of our species. We are powerful and can change our emotions and personalities to become greater versions of ourselves through this newfound wisdom.