Devastating times in life can foster personal growth.
Life has a way of throwing us curveballs when we least expect it. These profound disruptions, aptly named “lifequakes,” can shake us to our very core, forcing us to reevaluate everything we thought we knew.
Author and speaker Aubrey Grossen shared her deeply personal journey through her own lifequakes, and offered strategies for navigating these tumultuous times.
Defining Lifequakes
Aubrey beautifully defined a lifequake as “a significant, sudden, and unexpected shift in the trajectory of your life that initially feels devastating, but has the beneficial outcome of catalyzing personal growth, transformation, and rebirth.” These events are more than just temporary setbacks; they are seismic shifts that demand a deeper, transformative response.
Aubrey’s Personal Lifequake
Aubrey’s lifequake came in the form of multiple miscarriages, a heart-wrenching experience that left her feeling shattered and colorless. She described the pain of undergoing surgeries and the devastating realization that she couldn’t have children naturally. During this dark period, Aubrey found solace in seeking out colorful places and activities that brought joy back into her life, such as dancing in the rain with her toddler. These moments of joy, though small, were like rays of sunshine breaking through the storm clouds.
Strategies for Navigating Lifequakes
- Allow Yourself to Feel It: Aubrey emphasized the importance of allowing yourself to fully experience the emotions that come with a lifequake. “Until we allow our bodies and allow ourselves to feel it, it’ll just stick inside of us until it comes out in uglier ways later on,” she explained. This process is crucial for starting the healing journey.
- Search for Glimpses of Light: Finding moments of joy, even in the midst of pain, is essential. Aubrey believes that joy comes in the gaps of our lives and encourages us to actively seek out these moments. Whether it’s finding colorful walls or enjoying a rainstorm, these glimpses of light can help us navigate through dark times.
- Anchor Yourself in Faith: Faith can be a powerful anchor during turbulent times. Aubrey reminded us that our trials are not punishments but opportunities for growth. “If we can anchor ourselves in our faith and what we believe in and know that God is on our team, it helps us to process through all that,” she said.
- Find What Makes You Feel Alive Again: Discovering activities that reignite your passion for life is vital. For Aubrey, it was dancing in the rain. For others, it might be painting, learning a new skill, or serving others. These activities can help shift our focus and bring a sense of vitality back into our lives.
Becoming After the Lifequake
Aubrey encouraged us to view lifequakes as opportunities for becoming who we are meant to be. “What is this lifequake doing for you to become who you’re meant to be?” she asked. By embracing this perspective, we can transform our challenges into catalysts for profound personal growth.
Lifequakes are inevitable, but they don’t have to define us negatively. By allowing ourselves to feel, seek glimpses of light, anchor in faith, and find what makes us feel alive, we can navigate these turbulent times and emerge stronger. As Aubrey’s experience shows, these moments can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose.
Find more insights from Aubrey on her podcast, Arise Within, available wherever you get your podcasts. Find and follow Aubrey on Instagram, @aubreygrossen.
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