What a month it has been! We can get through this difficult time caused by the Coronavirus pandemic by remembering that in times of crisis we can strive to be our best selves. Earlier this week, I participated in a podcast episode to discuss Holistic Wealth with Author Judy Holland. I’m sharing this episode with you to inspire and motivate you. Links are all provided below.
Suffering Sparks Enlightenment, Creativity and Innovation
Great things can come from great suffering, right? Most of us believe this in theory, but when faced with tragedy, suffering and fear—such as in the Time of Covid— we lose sight of the big picture.
But Helen Keller, no stranger to adversity, kept this posttraumatic-growth concept firmly in mind, saying, “Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
As the Coronavirus pandemic has grown more dire, infecting and sickening 100,000,00o people and putting our lives and livelihoods on pause, it’s easy to drown in a tsunami of despair and uncertainty and wonder what the hell is happening to humanity.
But research shows that challenging life crises can give birth to a Renaissance of enlightenment, creativity and innovation. People who have suffered great loss go through a period of searching for and creating meaning in the aftermath of a traumatic event, according to psychologist Richard G. Tedeschi of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Crises such as this global pandemic can give rise to “an increased appreciation for life in general, more meaningful personal relationships, an increased sense of personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer existential and spiritual life,” Tedeschi says.
Channel Creativity in Trying Times to Come out Better Than Before
Tune in for tips from Economist and Author Keisha Blair!
View this episode »
History overflows with instances of exceptional humans who accomplished great feats after much suffering:
The famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo survived polio, miscarriages and a traffic accident to create world self portraits that illustrate passion and pain with bold colors and rocketed her to world fame.
German composer Johann Sebastian Bach overcame being orphaned and losing 10 of his 20 children to create the Brandenburg Concerto, the benchmark of Baroque music.
The Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson was bedridden and battled a chronic depression before penning the landmark coming-of-age novel Treasure Island.
Just as the Bubonic Plague spurred Renaissance art and culture in Italy, the Coronavirus pandemic will lead to a new era of enlightenment, creativity and innovation.
Tune into Author Judy Holland’s latest HappiNest podcast where I discussed overcoming tragedy, the holistic wealth mindset and the Holistic Wealth Method. You can overcome crisis and come out better than before.
Resources:
Holistic Wealth: 32 Life Lessons To Help You Find Purpose, Prosperity and Happiness.
My Husband Died at 34. Here Are 40 Life Lessons I Learned From It by Keisha Blair