POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH

“One day . . . or day one.” Anonymous

Cherokee Month of the Planting Moon 

SEL:  #3 Self-Management

         #5 Responsible Decision Making

Digital Learner: #5 Knowledge Constructor

      #7 Innovative Designer

I’d heard of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) for a long time. What was new for me was PTG: post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 1996). Regardless of the calamity, when the fire, tornado, hurricane or flood is over; when the accident, illness, bankruptcy or betrayal causing emotional devastation is done, another condition emerges. We find ourselves perplexed, exhausted, and still here, while facing an ugly reality we never dreamed possible.

My friend in a wheelchair said, “You’re in post-traumatic growth.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Oh, yes. You rebuild with whatever you have left. Just start a new life.”

Oh, snap! OK. Just start a new life, she says. Many months later, I thanked her for the encouragement. Who better than she knew how to re-invent herself? I had to rebuild my muscles, my brain, my home, repair my emotions, my finances, and recalibrate my retirement. I could not “vampire” onto her recovery. I had to do my own work. It was hard. It was expensive. I did not like it. I chose a start-up business, took many classes at the community college for two years, and thought I was nuts.

In hindsight, I regret not one hour nor one moment of what it took to start anew. It is so very worth it to me now.

Aloha love,

Carla

I am committed to being an effective member of the global digital community by writing children’s picture books on feelings and emotions and social-emotional learning (SEL). These books work to help children understand themselves and their place in the world and to enrich academic development.

The 5 SEL Competencies are: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. CASEL.org

The 7 Competencies for Technology in Education Empowered Learner: I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrating my learning.

Global Collaborator: I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others, and work effectively in teams using digital tools.

Digital Citizen: I understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world.

Creative Communicator: I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.

Knowledge Constructor: I critically select, evaluate, and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Computational Thinker: I identify authentic problems, work with data, and use a step-by-step process to automate solutions.

Innovative Designer: I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools. ISTE.org  

Disclaimer for Blog

This site cannot and does not contain social-emotional learning (SEL) or technology in education advice. These materials are provided for general informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice on any particular concerns or circumstances involved. This Blog: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone! aims to share ideas and best practices, in good faith, only. Any information sent to Carla Chapin, or to Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC, through the website, Internet, or email is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. The original content of the websites Carla Chapin, Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC and the Blogs: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone!  and Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, are copyrighted materials and are subject to the restrictions and protections set forth in the Copyright Act.