First, an apology.... I didn't write a happiness post last week, for that I am sorry. It is only February, and way too early to be a flake. Today's post, however, is the reason why.
Those of you who know me, at least on a small scale, know that I am VERY upbeat and bubbly. This past week, this upbeat, bubbly girl experienced one of the biggest crises I have ever experienced. While, I do not feel like this is the platform to share family or personal sadness, It is the perfect platform to express overcoming,
It's funny, I teach a class called Intervention Strategies, which is all about crisis intervention and helping in times of crisis. The very day before my life turned upside down, we were discussing when it is appropriate following a crisis to discuss the fact that every crisis is an opportunity, and that there is always a silver lining. A few of my students stated that they believed it to be the hardest part during crisis intervention, simply because, when an individual is grieving, it is the last thing that they want to hear. I don't dispute this fact, rather, I teach my students to look for the windows to insert optimism.
For example, let's say that an individual lost his or her spouse in a car accident. While grieving, eventually, the individual will say something regarding the fact that they are still here--maybe they were able to help someone else or maybe they have children who still very much need their parent. These are "optimism windows," and I always encourage my students to use them every time. This is their opportunity to build resilience and promote healing.
So this was my life last week. Thankfully, no one passed away, but it truly was a crisis for me and my little family. And I watched myself go through the process that I teach about every Spring semester. I survived the darkness and watched the people that love me dive headfirst through every "optimism window" I opened for them. Even if it was just a crack. A week later, I am healing. My family is healing, and we are choosing to remain optimistic that good things will come out of this. Maybe because I have to... I don't know... Hope is a precious and fragile thing.
I hope that they next time you are faced with peril or a crisis that you can remember these words and hold onto them with all your might. It is OK to see bad things as an opportunity for good things, and sometimes one door has to close for another one to open.
Stay happy and hopeful, my friends!
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