If we go through pain and we gain some kind of valuable lesson, or have some epiphany that makes us live happier, wiser, more beautiful lives, is that pain worth it?
Why do some people who suffer unimaginable pain, loss, suffering appear to come out on the other side of this immense suffering and still have the ability to see good in the world and beauty around them? Some people crumble, whilst others grow in spite of the kind of loss most of us could never, and would never want to imagine?
How after suffering the loss of a child, of a husband, or being held at gunpoint, witnessing death, or being helpless to stop your wife dying right beside you, can you come back from that?
The human spirit is an amazing thing, human kindness is one of the most beautiful things we can offer, and receive. Watching the news, seeing the horror, the violence, terrorism, shootings and natural disasters can leave us feeling like there is no hope, but somehow empathy and kindness from our fellow humans give us hope and shines a light upon us even in our darkest hours.
I remember hearing somewhere that when a tragedy occurs to always look for the hero’s, the ones there helping, the ones showing kindness and generosity because they outweigh the bad.
So just how do people come through unbelievable tragedy in their lives and sometimes more than once? These are the questions that Journalist Leigh Sales asks in her powerful book ‘Any Ordinary Day’. I just finished reading this amazing piece of writing and although she covers devastating topics, and I have to say at times I was in tears reading this, overall it really does demonstrate the beauty in human kindness.
Leigh Sales writes about her intimate discussions with people who have suffered things most of us would find unthinkable, and to those people who helped them through. These include people who have been survivors of terrorist attacks, horrible violent crimes and natural disasters. They all have one thing in common, their day usually starts like any ordinary day and ends in the unimaginable, but what this book delves into is what happens after that, how do people go on? What enables some people to grow from tragedy? Despite covering topics that frighten us, reading this book left me with hope and I highly recommend it.
I don’t make a point of discussing books I have read on my blog, but I think that reading this book will benefit many of you, so I thought I’d tell you about it. Here is a link to a Review on Goodreads.com if you would like to read more. CLICK HERE FOR REVIEW.
If you have read this book I would love to hear your opinion.
If you wish to share any thoughts on this topic I’d love to read them, just leave a comment below, thanks for reading my blog today, love Mac xx
9 comments
People are capable of much more than what they give themselves credit for. Our ability to bear pain and loss is also something we never know till we find ourselves in that situation.
I agree with Obsessive Mom’s comment above. We don’t realise how strong we are and how much we can handle until we find ourselves in a situation where we have to handle it.
Debbie
P.S. Thanks for hosting #ablogginggoodtime
Some people don’t handle it so well as others, PTSD is a horrible condition that can strike at any time, even years after the event that caused the trauma. It sounds like a really interesting book though, and I agree, it’s often the kindness of others that help the most.
You just go on, I know that sounds simple. I grew up in a home filled with chaos. I saw someone get murdered with a meat cleaver not more than 50 feet from me.
I was robbed at gunpoint one morning about 18 months ago about three blocks from my house as I was walking to the bus. I wasn’t hurt but it some affect on me. The police bungled the investigation big time even when I gave them clues and the perps have never been caught.
I could easily just let it ruin my life but I remembered a line from a poem:
“Fight on, my men,” Sir Andrew Said
“A little I’m hurt but not yet slain.
“I’ll just lie down and bleed a while,
“And then I’ll rise and Fight again.”
It is something I believe in. My lesson I installed in my kids was you are going to get knocked down in life. Sometimes it will be really bad but you can’t crawl in the fetal position and stay down. Part of our DNA is getting up and fighting again.
I don’t know if I am the most well-adjusted person in the world but I am still here and looking for the beauty in life. That is just me.
#ablogginggoodtime
Having survived some unthinkable events of my own personal life, I can attest that you really don’t know how strong you are until you go through something so traumatic. It really tests you in so many ways. For me, I held it all in for so long that when I finally exploded I knew I needed help if I was ever going to find my happiness. It was a long journey but here I am. When I think of those who have suffered – and are still suffering from those natural disasters or terrorist attacks, my thoughts are always with them. Violent attacks get to me the most and stick with me the longest. Maybe it’s because of my own experience, I’m not really sure but to come through that is an amazing thing, even if it’s not something I would ever wish for anyone. This sounds like a good book to look into. Thanks for hosting #ABloggingGoodTime
I haven’t read the Sales book but everyone loves her here and talks about it. She does a podcast with Annabel Crabb that you might like too. I went to a talk on Happiness once by a woman who had lost her entire family one day (husband and kids, never explained). I thought it was interesting that her talk was not on getting over tragedy, but just general happiness. #Stayclassymama
My husband is in the military, some of the horrendous incidents that he and his colleagues have witnessed are just so unthinkable. it’s very true that when life changing events occur there are so many heroes amongst us that shine #dreamteam
I suppose we never know how we will react to something until it happens. This sounds likes a fascinating book offering an insight into what we all hope we will never have to experience. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
I also think faith has a lot to do with it – whatever your religion is, to have faith is such a powerful tool #ablogginggoodtime
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