ABSTRACT
It would be misleading in a book about change, transition, and loss to have the reader believe that grief is the only dening element of loss across the lifespan. In fact, readers who have lived through some of the losses described in other chapters know that often people emerge on the other side of challenging events and crises stronger and wiser. Much has been written about this phenomenon of “doing well,” or posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resilience over the last several decades (Borawski, 2007; Cyrulnik, 2005; Y. Dolan, 1998; P. Dolan, 2008; Flach, 1997, 1988; Katz, 1997; Lesser, 2004; Miller, 2005; Rutter, 2007; Scaer, 2005; Sirois, 2006). The literature also refers to struggling well (O’Connell-Higgins, 1994), inner optimism (O’Gorman, 1994), learned resourcefulness (Bonanno, 2004), enduring transcendence (Weenolsen, 1988), tragic optimism (Frankl, 1984), toughness, and hardiness. Other terms used to refer to the ability to thrive after a traumatic event include rebounding, self-righting, and ordinary magic (Masten, 2007). Each of these terms refers to the ability seen in many people not only to survive but also to thrive after extremely adverse events or challenges. Not only do these individuals “bear up,” but their suffering also becomes a gateway to wholeness and serves to unveil hidden strengths and talents. Wainrib (2006) refers to this as the phoenix phenomenon in reference to the fabled beautiful bird that rises from the ashes.
