Resolve to Rise

Have you ever faced something so painful that it felt like the world was moving on without you? You’re not alone. Did you know: Around 70% of adults worldwide experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime? Over the past three years, 57% of Americans have faced a significant loss? Despite how common suffering is, when it's happening to you , it can feel like the whole world is moving forward while you’re standing still. Adding feelings of isolation to an already painful experience amplifies that suffering. A Day That Changed Everything One brisk, cold afternoon, I was exhausted from a long day at work and 34 weeks pregnant with my second child. I had just picked up my son from daycare when, as we pulled away, he began to scream from the backseat—hungry and impatient. Desperate to soothe him, I leaned over to grab his crackers from the passenger-side floor. In that split second, everything changed. Suddenly, I felt a thud. An 18-year-old young woman was on my hood, her ...

Trauma affects more people than we might realize, but what exactly is trauma, and why does it impact us so deeply? The Three Types of Trauma Trauma is any experience that terrifies us and makes us fear for our safety or the safety of someone important to us. It can take different forms, including: Acute Trauma : A single, isolated event (e.g., a car accident). Chronic Trauma : Repeated and prolonged exposure to distressing events. Complex Trauma : Multiple, varied traumatic events, often in close relationships (e.g., child abuse, domestic violence). Trauma isn’t limited to firsthand experiences. It can also arise from witnessing, learning about, or even being exposed to distressing details of a traumatic event. How Trauma Impacts the Body and Mind The foundational symptoms of PTSD persist for 30 or more days after a traumatic event and can significantly affect daily functioning. Common symptoms include: Re-experiencing the trauma : Nightmares, flashbacks, or triggers. Avoidance : Steer...