The holiday season is finally here ... a joyous time of year! The
holidays present an opportunity to come together with family and
friends, to share experiences of the past and dreams for the future.
For those who have
experienced a traumatic event, this time of year may hardly feel joyous.
Traumatic stress can cast a dark shadow over the colors of the season.
Although many people will benefit from the opportunity to connect with
others, far too many will feel alone.
During this holiday
season, we can help victims to regain a sense of control that adversity
seems to have taken away. We can help them to see that their decisions
and actions can empower them to not only survive, but thrive!
Here are three
suggestions. First, make an effort to notice the feelings behind others'
words. Feelings are often the stuff that's hardest to talk about.
Second, listen. It's not what we say that helps people the most, it's
often what we don't say. Instead of being an expert in solving others'
problems, help them to find the answers within themselves. And finally,
let people know that it's okay not to be okay when they're living
through a challenging experience.
This
holiday season, let's help people who have lived through traumatic
events to harness their painful emotions, and use that energy to propel
them to live with a new sense of purpose in the new year.
