This quote from Albert Camus has been a favorite of mine since I was in my early teens.
“In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
– Albert Camus
I was only 13 or 14 when this quote of Albert Camus’s became one that I often repeated to myself.
Less than a year before I first saw this quote, I had gone through an extremely dark period in my life.
Quite unexpectedly, just 3-1/2 months after my 13th birthday, my mother passed away. She was only 45.
As you can imagine, my life was turned upside down.
Thankfully, there were adults in my life who stepped in and did the best they could to ease the pain of that loss for my two younger sisters and me.
But ultimately, the ability to “rise above” traumatic experiences like this comes (I think) from four things:
FAITH IN GOD … and the belief that we are not alone when dealing with things like this.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES (like this one) &/or SONGS … basically, words that help you express the feelings you may not even realize you have.
CREATIVE OUTLETS … such as writing, painting, sculpture, crafts, playing a musical instrument — anything that allows you to use your hands in self-expression.
SPENDING TIME IN NATURE … whether walking through a forest, along a beach, or just noticing things around you as you walk through your neighborhood or a park.
Of course, everyone is different when dealing with tragedy, but the things I shared above are what helped me.
The quote from Albert Camus that I shared above would not have meant much without the “back story” … the REASON that quote is so special to me.
My hope is that at least one of the things I listed above will resonate with those who read this. If not now, then (possibly) at some point in the future.
(The plaque in this photo now hangs in my living room — a daily reminder of what it means to “rise above” the negative things that sometimes happen in our lives.)
