Sometimes life gets very tough and it seems like the darkness is never going to lift again. And then one day, it does.
Watering the garden this morning I took a moment to reflect on a young apple tree. When we took occupancy of our new home last month the previous owners had stopped watering the back garden and this little tree looked like it was dying. It’s leaves were brown and shrivelled, and even with the water I started giving it regularly it seemed to be on its way out.
Ten days later a friend pointed out to me the new shoots appearing on the trunk. These were soon followed by tiny buds appearing on the branches beneath all the brown and dead leaves. This morning I could clearly see that the little tree was full of new growth. It reminded me of how so many things in life are just like this – new growth emerges after the crisis.
I have many friends and contacts dealing with personal crises this summer. For all of them it is about close family members diagnosed with terminal illnesses or in one case, a sudden death. In reflection of this, my article for Slaw last month offered nine tips for dealing with a sudden crisis. You can read it here: http://www.slaw.ca/2016/07/29/when-crisis-hits-nine-tips-for-getting-through/
I hope these nine tips can help you to successfully navigate through the emotional, relationship, health, and mental challenges that arise in crisis, so that like the little apple tree you come through the experience stronger and with new growth.
