Had a short conversation the other day with a Vietnam vet, now substantially recovered from the PTSD symptoms that plagued him for four decades. (See the recent part of his story, here.) We were discussing how, in both of our situations, me with chronic fatigue syndrome, him with PTSD, how crucial it was that -- despite how things looked from time to time -- we truly did believe, somewhere inside us, that we were going to get better. We didn't know how, and mostly it looked like it wasn't ever going to happen, but each of us in our own way refused to believe that there was no help to be had. We couldn't explain it, maybe, but inside us we both knew, someday we'd find a way to get better. And we talked about how important it was to hold on to that small kernel of hope, even when circumstances around us looked so bleak, as they often did. It reminded me of this quote, about where that hope for recovery actually comes from...it comes from somewhere deep inside us. So even when we're tempted to give up, because the life around us can seem like a nightmare, the tiny kernel of hope for a better life, and better circumstances, is our innate belief that we can get better. As the quote says:
"If what was in your dreams wasn't already inside of you, how would you even be able to dream it?" -- Kobi Yamada.
