Beyond the Darkness Can You Envision Light? Why We Expect So Much From Ourselves in Hard Times—and How to Shift That Perspective Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor who spent years in Auschwitz, famously said: “An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.” If we know that stress and extreme challenges can cause us to respond in ways we wouldn’t under ordinary circumstances, why do we still expect so much from ourselves? The Reality of Stress and Hardship During immense stress and hardship, it’s natural to: Struggle to stay on top of things. Feel more reactive or easily agitated. Experience heightened fears and worries. Have a more negative outlook. Feel hopeless, distracted, or overwhelmed. Even knowing this, many of us—including myself—expect to show up not only as our usual selves but as the very best versions of ourselves. It’s a setup for self-criticism and unnecessary pressure. For instance, I’ve heard people apologize for crying after a devastating loss. But ...

Healing Trauma: Finding the Right Path for You As we navigate the darkness of trauma and confront the experiences that have held us hostage, something new is revealed: a fresh way of responding, living, and loving. When you’re dealing with the impacts of trauma, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and believe things will never improve. I know that feeling all too well.  In my bestselling book, " Resolve to Rise: Become Greater than Your Circumstances ," I emphasize the importance of moving through the pain to reach the other side--because there's no way around it.  The Challenges of Healing Trauma Even after years of counseling, certain situations and triggers left me feeling vulnerable, like healing would always be out of reach. My body responded with tension and a sense of self-defense, reinforcing patterns of emotional reactivity. But I refused to give up. Over the past few years, I’ve explored several therapeutic approaches to minimize the impacts of trauma on my body and m...