0151: Midweek Debrief – Fighting Through Trauma

Podcast Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donavon-riley/episodes/0151-Midweek-Debrief—Fighting-Through-Trauma-e22nskm

Trauma can be a difficult obstacle to overcome, but in this episode, we will explore the insights from Theodore Roosevelt’s book, The Strenuous Life, published in 1899, that can help us in our trauma.

Fighting Through Trauma: Lessons from The Strenuous Life

Trauma can be a difficult obstacle to overcome, but in this episode, we will explore the insights from Theodore Roosevelt’s book, The Strenuous Life, published in 1899, that can help us in our  trauma.

One thing that Roosevelt writes that can help us frame our engagement with trauma is that the only way to truly overcome trauma is to face it head-on and to not let it control our lives. As he writes, “The only man who is a good citizen is the man who is strenuously bent on doing his duty at all times, and who fights valiantly against the evils that threaten him and his people” (Roosevelt, 1899, p. 17). In the context of trauma, this means that we must be willing to confront our trauma and to fight against the negative effects that it can have on our lives.

One way to fight through trauma is to channel our emotions into productive activities. As Roosevelt states, “No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his body, to risk his life, in a great cause” (Roosevelt, 1899, p. 24). This does not necessarily mean putting ourselves in physical danger, but it does mean using our emotions and energy to do something positive and meaningful.

Another key element of overcoming trauma is to maintain a positive mindset. Roosevelt believed that “The joy of life is won only by those who have not shirked life’s burden” (Roosevelt, 1899, p. 26). This means that we must approach life with a positive attitude, even when faced with difficult challenges. By maintaining a positive mindset, we can see our trauma as a challenge to be overcome, rather than a burden to be carried.

Finally, it is important to seek support from others when fighting through trauma. Roosevelt believed that “No man can lead a happy life, or a successful life, unless he has a great spirit of confidence in himself” (Roosevelt, 1899, p. 31). This confidence can come from the support of family, friends, and community members who can provide encouragement and guidance during difficult times.

Roosevelt’s book, The Strenuous Life, provides valuable insights into how to fight through trauma. By confronting our trauma, channeling our emotions into positive activities, maintaining a positive mindset, and seeking support from others, we can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles. As Roosevelt himself stated, “We must show, not merely in great crises, but in the every-day affairs of life, the qualities of practical intelligence, of courage, of hardihood, and endurance, and above all the power of devotion to a lofty ideal” (Roosevelt, 1899, p. 4).