Uncovering How Gratitude Helps Build Resilience
Uncovering authentic gratitude helps us cultivate ways to see some good even when we are going through the unimaginable.
Welcome
If you are new to my newsletter, “Cultivating Wholeness Along the Way” welcome, I’m so glad you are here!
This month I’m sharing a recent guest post I wrote for an author colleague of mine, Twyla Franz, on her “Begin Within Series”. It’s a regular series that posts inspiring stories of “overcomers” – those who face difficult stories yet, somehow, are able to uncover gratitude, healing, and hope through their stories of suffering.
As “overcomers”, it’s important to become aware of the stories we tell ourselves. Only then can we change the narrative to one that helps us overcome the adversity we are facing. It’s not about “getting over it” – whatever “it” is.
So what is it then?
Well, in many ways is it learning how to live with an adversity as it impacts our lives and the unwanted and unexpected changes it can force upon us. I had to come up with my own definition of being an “overcomer” that allowed me to find new ways to cope and not just survive but find ways to thrive while facing my adversity with health issues – first cancer and then with the ever changing impacts of autoimmune disease (s).
The word ‘overcomer’ is one that I wrote about on my instagram and I even defined it to fit my own understanding and lived experience of what an “overcomer” can be. It isn’t someone who ignores the reality and impact of adversity… but is…
What could becoming an “overcomer” look like?
If you enjoy reading inspirational stories, you just might like enjoy reading the “Begin Within Series”. And, of course, I hope you’ll read my story too!
I’ve posted the links below if you’d like to read some of these inspiring stories and follow Twyla and her series.
And there is an exciting announcement way down at the bottom of this post. So I’d love it if you’d join me in celebrating this great news.
But first… let’s get started with this gratitude story … let me ask…
What Stories are you Telling Yourself?
Have you ever noticed that someone’s unexpected, nonchalant words might just be that little something you needed to hear to help you feel better about the life story you are living?
When those moments happen, they seem to influence our perspectives and help us look at our life and its circumstances differently don’t they?
In this post I wrote for the “Begin Within Series”, I share one of those ah-ha moments I had where I received a much-needed reminder bringing me great, glimmers of gratitude, healing, and hope through a difficult life journey.
Maybe right now you are facing some difficult life challenges, or have in the past where you still experience moments that reminded you of them, and are transported back, bringing all the unwanted memories with a grief residue of your loss and sadness.
Maybe you are telling yourself some of the things I was telling myself about my health story that brought me much discouragement instead of life, hope-filled encouragement, and truth.
Whatever it may be, let me remind you of something I need to be reminded of frequently - you are not alone. God is aware of your struggles, He is there ready to comfort you in this place. He also has created us for community that can bring us healing encouragement and hope along the way. We must remember to reach out to those around us for support and encouragement too.
And, I hope my story today will bring you the same ah-ha gift I received just when I needed it.
I’ll post a bit of my story here and give you a link where you can read the whole post on the “Begin Within Series”!
Breathing a sigh of relief, I sat in the waiting room, hiding behind the face mask I donned during a brief respite from expectations of small talk.
It seemed that everything I once knew had changed. A few short weeks after an eight-hour oral cancer surgery, avoiding speaking was my sole goal, especially with strangers. Recurring requests to repeat myself became something I dreaded.
A sagging eyelid, droopy mouth, swollen tongue, and neck reflected images and sounds of a woman I didn’t recognize. Not to mention the added diagnosis of a second cancer–melanoma on my arm, and an autoimmune disease–all in three short months.
So much of who I knew myself to be was challenged. My true identity and value was challenged. Meaningless platitudes frequently flitted through my mind–“beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” or “beauty comes from within.”
Beauty? Looking like this? Feeling like this? Doubts crowded my mind; discouragement clouded my thinking. By focusing on the negative, its dark, wet blanket of shame submersed any hope of the positive.
I began imagining rejection. I doubted. My confidence waned. I wondered…
READ MORE of this story here on the “Begin Within Series” and be sure to COME BACK here to read an exciting announcement below and a link to a “FREE” Sample read from my book.
Meet Fern Buszowski
Fern Buszowski, MALM, MA Counseling, is a published author, blogger, public speaker, and thriving cancer survivor. She has spent most of her career equipping others to grow, develop, and find hope through counseling, workshops, programs, and training, locally and internationally. Fern is passionate about encouraging others to cultivate curiosity, choose hope, seek wholeness, and develop life practices that nurture their souls, uncovering all that God as in store for them. She shares stories of hope at events, through podcasts, and more recently on the TV show Legacy Makers. She is the author of the book Embrace Life, Embrace Hope: Cultivating Wholeness and Resilience through the Unexpected recently nominated as 1 of 3 finalists for the The Word Guild of Canada in the “Christian Living-Spiritual Formation” category. The winner will be announced in September.
Interested in a “FREE sample read”?
Be inspired to create space for you heart, body, mind, and soul to rest and find new ways to uncover wholeness and hope - to not just survive but thrive!
Click on the button below to read a FREE sample from Embrace Life, Embrace Hope: Cultivating Wholeness and Resilience through the Unexpected
Did You Know?
All profits from the sale of this book are donated to cancer research and/or family support.
Read what others are saying! HERE
I’d love it if you’d like to stay connected. Where you can find me. . .
Introducing “Begin Within: A Gratitude Series
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
A Little about Twyla
Twyla Franz is a relentless believer in direction over pace and ripple-effect living. She plays worship songs loud and on repeat. Numbers her thanks to remember gratitude is a before, not an after. Her passion is helping others get close to Jesus and grow deep, missional friendships with neighbors.
Here's How you can Connect with Twyla:
We are half-way through summer!! I hope that you are blessed with cherished moments filled with rest, restoration, and much hope. See you next month!
