Pearls of Wisdom from People Who Have Suffered and Grown

Hearing people’s stories, getting tidbits of wisdom, learning how others ‘do it’ is fascinating.  I guess that’s why I love interviewing people – specifically people who have taken on their challenges and done something good with them.  That is truly inspiring.

There’s a lot to learn from those who have suffered and yet gone on to create rich, rewarding and meaningful lives.  We can see different ways of viewing things – attitudes, philosophies;  different response patterns, different coping strategies and specific  actions to incorporate that could be helpful to us.

The key is to realize that we can all grow and cultivate new ways of being and doing that can enhance our lives, despite and together with whatever difficulties we’re facing.

I’ve culled statements from some of my blog interviewees that I consider to be wise and powerful thoughts – learning gems.

 

“We didn’t try to overcome the disability because that means fixing or changing it and results in a constant struggle.  Rising above something means accepting it, which frees you to use it as a platform for greater things.

It’s going to be emotionally messy if you are really going to grow from a challenging experience.  The sooner a person accepts that, the better off they will be.  Embrace the experience.  But have something to look forward to, something that will allow you to rise above it even if it is just knowing that you are becoming a stronger person.  And go gently with yourself when you have setbacks.“  Laverne Bissky, on growing beyond

“I have learned that words and actions can only hurt us if we allow them to.  It is when we believe the ugly comments that they affect us.  Stares and whispers no longer have any control over me.  All a stranger might see are my scars, but it is up to me to show them my heart. If they are staring at me, that just means I have their undivided attention and should use that moment to reflect God.  I smile and always try to show them the woman underneath the scars.” Candida Sullivan, on coping with stares

“Look for their strengths because every child has them. Use their strengths to help with the challenges. I don’t want to get lost in one vision of what a valuable life is.” Priscilla Gilman, on expanding our focus

“It’s a choice – do I want to survive or be a victim.  I don’t want to be a victim.   Victims are underground.  Everything is based on a choice.  For me happiness is a choice.  That sounds so simple and basic but it takes a lot of work.  Some days happiness doesn’t land in your lap, you have to really work at it.”  Julia Fox Garrison, on choice of attitude

“My argument is that we spend a lot of time and money taking care of our bodies, our cars and homes and pets, but we don’t spend a lot of time taking care of the one filter through which we experience literally everything in our life, and that’s our mind.  And that’s what meditation can help with.”  Dan Harris, on mindfulness

“I’ve always had the philosophy that recovery – and I’m not a huge fan of the word because I don’t think one ever truly recovers from mental illness but rather learns to manage it – is not about the light at the end of the tunnel, but realizing that there is light, even if it’s just a tiny bit seeping into the tunnel, and you’ve got to grasp it.” Andy Behrman, on seeing the light

“You have to use it (pain and suffering) to grow to be bigger. You have to basically change your life afterwards.  You can’t go back to who you were.  You have to find a way to give from the pain.” Sherri Mandell, on post traumatic growth

“Choose to inhale, don’t breathe simply to exist.” Jeni Stepanek as quoted from her son, Mattie, on living on.

“For me, it’s not about overcoming.  It’s about how you take something that is an enormous challenge and integrate it into your life so that you can continue to live a full, exciting and wonderful life, in addition to the challenges.” Dan Habib, on incorporating an adversity

“I can be the one to transform my beliefs so that I can be a magnet for what I want, not what I fear or what I have already experienced.” Julie Genovese, on personal power

 

These are all just a few lines from very inspiring people as they speak to how they have gone on to live well together with their pain and loss.  You can read the complete interview by clicking on each name.  There are many more monthly interviews from the past three years, highlighting various challenges.

Which quote spoke to you here?  Thanks for stopping by.