A thankful perspective amid adversity

As Thanksgiving approaches, many individuals take the time from their everyday routines to assess the direction of their lives.

An individual wrote me recently and told me how her family had dealt with the adversity of the economy's downturn during the last two and half years. A strong family support system, a relatively happy and healthy childhood, a close group of friends in their church and community along with some good advice from a counselor provided this individual with the necessary elements to weather the storm and emerge from a rather bleak economic situation into a new beginning with hope and optimism.

After almost twenty five years of counseling individuals, I still find it interesting to see how some individuals can completely focus on the negative outcomes and alternatives and neglect any hint of positive possibilities.

There are, of course, many factors which contribute to a negative, seemingly hopeless outlook.

• Depression, especially long-term clinical depression which can become disabling and in need of medical attention, is one. The effects of this severe depression can make it next to impossible for some individuals to achieve any sort of healthy perspective about the future because of a possible biological and chemical deficit. Many of the patients I have treated have been very thankful that psycho-pharmaceuticals were available, on a short-term basis, to help them achieve enough balance in order to begin working on a healthier psychological perspective.

• Individuals reared in situations where trauma was frequent, such as abuse and violence, are often devoid of emotions that are commonly found in healthier individuals who can sense hope and optimism. An understanding of the psychological dysfunction that can arise from these situations is impossible for those who have never experienced the horrors of child abuse, incest, battering, and emotional isolation.

• Extreme, prolonged stress often leads to detachment, isolation and pessimism. Physical problems frequently begin to emerge as a result of this stress, further compounding the difficulties.

If you are fortunate and have not encountered these life experiences, you can step back and appreciate the many positive things that have occurred in your life during this last year.

• Make a list of any achievement or accomplishment.

• Think about how you may have positively impacted someone.

• Look at any healthy growth of your family, any hurdle or obstacle overcome.

• Believe that even though the progress was not as significant as you hoped, there were gains.

• Plant the seed for a self-fulfilling prophecy. Here is your positive outlook and a healthy belief that the future holds opportunity and challenge.

To a large degree it is a matter of deciding that this is the way it is going to be and being thankful that you can do it.

Copyright c 1992 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.