Discovering your why – The essence of post traumatic growth

 

If you’re a parent who is facing adversity you’ll know it’s hard to find relief from the worry and anguish. Trying to understand through sheer logic is fraught with the limits of our own intellect and beliefs. In order to find any real solace and acceptance for this pain, you will need to do some deep soul searching to view this life experience in a different light.

It’s like training for a marathon there is a process, and it starts with why.

Back in 2015, I was on a plane flying across the red centre of Australia from Melbourne to Broome when through the clouds the inspiration for my poem ‘A broken hearted legacy’ came to me.

The flight from Melbourne to Broome is roughly about four hours, so I had a lot of time to relax and unwind. I was sitting in the window seat looking out over the clouds while watching YouTube video’s in particular Simon Sinek’s – ‘Start with Why’ and it got me asking myself some serious questions.

When the why is clear, the how is easy.

Looking beyond yourself for the answers.

Whilst it wasn’t the first time I had watched this leadership talk by Simon, it was however the first time I had really listened to the message and intentionally reflected it back on my own personal life and in particularly because I had experienced the depth of depression and the effects of post traumatic stress disorder( PTSD) mostly due to the unrelenting stress and anxieties of having two children with a life limiting disease.

I was so desperate to know why because my life depended on it.

It’s the quality of our questions, that determines the answers and the capacity to truly transform lives.

Getting in touch with your intuition using the art of journaling, where you ask the questions and then allow your higher self to answer; you learn to receive a thought (answer) versus thinking the thought.

Write down the first answer that comes to your head and then ask the same question again then ask how does this feel in my body in particular my heart and then again until you feel a positive shift in your thinking, meaning this answer it at your essence it feels true.

The idea is that you keep asking and receiving answers that are aligned to your higher self not attached to the ego or any previous cultural or social conditioning.

Sometimes you’ll struggle to find anything positive out of your heartbreak but if you can find an over arching ‘why’ then you’ll be closer to finding some kind of solace.

I didn’t just write a poem.

I discovered their legacy and it saved me!

Looking out over the clouds, I pondered all of these questions and to no resolve. The stillness eventually allowed me to connect it my higher self and I felt a huge wave of energy surged through me, starting at my heart and landing as a huge lump in my throat.

The question I needed to ask was. How would my boys with severe disabilities answer this question?

As the emotions stirred up in me, I felt Williams presence even though he was back home staying at the hospice with Hamish. It was a feeling like I’ve never experienced before and as the tears streamed down my face, he gave me the answer and his words flowed through me and down onto the paper and the essence of this poem came to me. ‘A broken hearted legacy.’

I now know my life purpose. I’m here to serve them and many others through their legacy.

 
A BROKEN HEARTED LEGACY
Written by Natalie Karen for her son's William & Hamish Watson

I am the child, who can not talk, 
I am a child, who can not walk,

I am a child and I am detached from the ego; and although my body may not cooperate with this physical world; my energy is miraculous.
 
I am the child who is here to say; slow down people, live in the moment and find happiness in just being with those that you love.

I am the child who communicates on a different level; and yet without saying a word, I can spread the word of compassion and acceptance.  

I am a child who will raise your consciousness and keep you living deliberately. 

I am a child who is here to inspire and create unconditional love with all that know me. 
 
Yes, I am your child; and I hear you worried cries at night and I want you to know that together we are going to be okay.

I am seen as the child with disabilities; you will see that I am here to inspire action and so, so much more.

So here I am; your child and this is my why?  

I am a soul and I am here with you on this physical journey; and if you let me I will be your greatest teacher; 

I am here to help you achieve your highest potential; it's time to let go of your excuses and find an acceptance.
 
You will see that all of humanity's purpose is for connection, acceptance and compassion for each other; and when we do; the world will be a better place.

Embrace our physical time together. 
Your understanding of life and your life’s purpose will be found in me, this is my legacy! 

I am the child who communicates on a different level and yet without saying a word, I can spread the word of unconditional love and acceptance.  

William Fergus Watson