Trauma survivors teach us to value life more
It is difficult to be grateful that we have a “default”: today and every day. We just take it for granted. However, having survived the loss, we get the opportunity to look at our life from a new perspective. We often realize how important something was to us only when we lose it.
“The psychological trauma and loss suffered can aggravate our gratitude,” says clinical psychologist. – Of course, we are talking about a real loss, which we mourn. Sometimes we can learn gratitude only by losing something really important to us. ”
Trauma survivors teach us to value life more
Experiencing trauma, we are going through an ambiguous period of personal growth, which can take many forms. For example, grief often teaches us gratitude. But development after an injury is not an easy process, especially when it comes to very heavy losses: death of a loved one, missed opportunities, disappointment in core values. It will take time to understand what important lesson we can learn from this loss. In addition to this, we are beginning to appreciate what we have not lost, what remains with us: health, wealth, relationships.
An important lesson that many people experiencing loss learn for themselves: life can still give us a lot. Often, after what has happened, new life priorities arise or those that suddenly “dozed off” somewhere deep down suddenly surface. “For many people who have experienced severe trauma, even the simplest joys of life (the smell of morning coffee, children’s laughter) are beginning to be perceived as priceless gifts.”
LOSS MAY TRIGGER CHANGE
Faced with a loss: real (death of a loved one), or imaginary (fear of a possible betrayal of a partner) – we begin to wonder how valuable and fleeting life is. This makes us take a fresh look at our priorities, ask ourselves what it means for us to perceive life in its entirety.
The loss, which has become the impetus for change, poses new questions for us, to which we are forced to look for answers: “What is really important to me?”, “What is more important – relationships or material values?”, “What would I regret if would you know that I’m going to die today? ” Of course, these are difficult questions, but it is necessary to think about them.
Faced with real or potential loss, we often suddenly and acutely feel the taste of life. “I had to work with many war veterans, and I heard from them more than once that, having barely escaped death, they felt deep gratitude for the fact that they were still alive,” recalls psychologist. “Other clients I worked with said that after experiencing some terrifying event, they felt they were given a second chance.”
A heightened sense of the value of life after an injury has been manifested for everyone in their own way.
This newfound gratitude is a key condition for learning to value life. It gives us the opportunity to stop rushing, stop and, relatively speaking, enjoy the smell of flowers.
A heightened sense of the value of life after an injury has been manifested in each person’s own way. “Some are becoming more careful. “I will never again throw myself in the face of danger without thinking over everything properly,” said one veteran. But his comrade who survived the same thing, drew a completely different lesson for himself: “I will no longer waste precious time and think everything endlessly, I will act more and take risks!”, psychologist shares.
One way or another, we all understand that our life is finite and, moreover, short. But in reality, we realize our own mortality only when we lose support under our feet, when we lose our sense of security and stability. This gives us the opportunity to rethink a lot.
The hardships of life very well help to understand what is really important to us. They make us stop, think and truly appreciate all the important things that we still have. Unfortunately, often only trouble can “open our eyes”. But troubles happen to each of us, and it is important to remember that we can not only survive them, but also find a more complete and joyful life.
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