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Post-Traumatic Transformational Syndrome?
by Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach For years we've heard the phrase "post-traumatic stress syndrome" referring to what happens to a person after they go through a traumatic event. It seems to imply the results will always be negative. Yet if you're like me, you probably know people who've come out the other side of traumas stronger, more resilient, and maybe even "better" people because of it. Like a broken bone, they seem to heal stronger than before. In line with the new positive psychology, I've even begun to see the term "post-traumatic growth syndrome". Well, here's a poignant example that can inspire us all. It's about Natasha. She's a 5 year-old macaque monkey who lives at the Safari Park near Tel Aviv and look at her now! Here's a photo: http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/MIDEAST_ISRAEL_ UPRIGHT_MONKEY.sff_XEM801_20040721154635.jpg (from the Maariv daily). Walking tall and proud, isn't she? Well here's the lead from the associated press: "A young monkey at an Israeli zoo has started walking on its hind legs only - aping humans - after a near death experience, the zoo's veterinarian said Wednesday." Yes, Natasha had a rough time. She had a stomach ailment that nearly killed her. "I was sure that she was going to die," said Igal Horowitz, the veterinarian. "She could hardly breathe and her heart was not functioning properly." Slowly her condition stabilized, and she was released, and guess what? She started walking only on her hind legs, instead of the usual gait of macaques, which is alternating between upright movement and walking on all fours. The veterinarian said he's never seen or heard of this before. Whatever the cause, Natasha is changed forever from her experience, but doing just fine, and maybe even better. We can do this too. While we would never wish for adversity to strike, it can transform us, causing us to change and become more resilient. "Affliction comes to us," said H. G. Wells, British philosopher, "not to make us sad, but sober; not to make us sorry, but wise." In fact, when adversity strikes, we often have the sense that we will never be the same again. It can lift us up and transform us, difficult as it is at the time. Whatever Natasha experienced, as she lay close to death, she will never be the same again, and look at her now! GO NATASHA! ©Susan Dunn, MA, is an Emotional Intelligence Coach, and the author of "A Change is Coming," http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html and other ebooks for your personal transformation. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc .
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