Becoming Greater than Our Circumstances
Becoming Greater Than Our Circumstances
Welcome to Resolve to Rise, a blog dedicated to empowering people to overcome challenges and become greater than their circumstances. Life often brings unexpected hurdles, such as job loss, the diagnosis of a chronic condition, navigating the effects of chronic stress, PTSD, or even Complex PTSD.
In those moments, it can feel as though the ground has shifted beneath your feet, leaving you stuck and uncertain. When life changes in significant ways, the tools you once relied on may no longer work.
The Reality of Feeling Stuck
When you feel stuck, it’s not just a perception—it’s your reality. The saying “Perception is reality” might be overused, but it holds truth.
For instance, when facing the effects of something difficult, you may find yourself stuck in negative thought patterns or emotional cycles that make it hard to move forward. Discouragement or feeling overwhelmed can become the norm, draining joy and hope from your life.
But here’s a key lesson I’ve learned: if I change nothing, nothing changes.
It may seem obvious, but I have found myself at times in a beaten down place that left me feeling hopeless and taking up residence in the awareness of what I could not change. As a result, there was little energy given to what I could change.
Even small steps toward change can open the door to growth and healing. For example, if I feel physically unwell but resist adjusting my habits—like my diet—I’m likely to continue feeling unwell. And in some situations, my physical condition may even get worse. Not every attempt will work. Your first, second, or even third approach may fall flat or not be as transformative as you had hoped. But each effort gets you closer to a solution that fits your needs.
Growth Is a Process, Not a Destination
Becoming greater than your circumstances isn’t about achieving one definitive moment of triumph. Instead, it’s a journey—one that involves persistence, experimentation, and learning from what works. You will be helped by keeping your sights on incremental progress, rather than one monumental change, because progress made bit by bit builds greater resilience, new neural pathways, and sustaining habits.
This is especially true when addressing the challenges of chronic stress, PTSD, or Complex PTSD. Healing requires focusing on one or two small areas to improve, and trying new strategies, whether it’s through grounding techniques, therapy, or finding ways to build resilience. Some approaches you will keep and others you will not. But every attempt is a step forward.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, remember that change begins with a single step. Be patient with yourself as you explore what works for you, knowing that growth and healing are possible. No one can deny Michael Jordan’s success in basketball, and yet, even he said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” If things don’t work the first few times, keep trying trusting that you are growing with the pursuit!
For more resources on overcoming chronic stress, PTSD, and Complex PTSD, visit www.resolvetorise.com.
You can also learn more about my book, Resolve to Rise, here, where I share my lived experiences and offer practical steps for becoming greater than your circumstances.
