If You have not already read Part 1 of this article, please do so before reading Part 2, by clicking on this link: Discovering a “New Normal” after Experiencing a Brain Injury Part 1
Re-birthing, Re-framing and Seeing My Life’s Experience in a New Way after my Brain Injury
While answering the professional working within the brain injury industry, I used the term “re-birth”. Re-birth in place of the term “a new normal”. I used the term “re-birth” to illustrate the need to own our power.
Own our Power after experiencing a brain injury.
“Re-Birth”
I shared the term “rebirth” with him because I believe new opportunities exist apart from the “old me”.
By framing my experience as a “rebirth” I am able to start fresh. I am able to start with a “clean slate” or a clean “canvas”. I am able to “create in ways that work for me“. Create in ways that work for me instead of “being distracted. Distracted by what no longer works for me“.
Trains, Train tracks, Switches, Railroad of Life and Rebirth
Using the metaphor of the train, train tracks, switches on the railroad of life and a rebirth, I am able to own my power.
Owning my power instead of feeling like I had been “cheated” out of something because of my traumatic brain Injury. Through owning my power I am able to move forward with my life, instead of being stuck by comparing the “old me” with the “new me“.
By re-framing (looking at “what is” instead of looking at “what isn’t”) I gain hope.
“What Is”
Instead of comparing the “old me” with the “new me“, I am able to see my experience “what is” as an opportunity to create anew.
By owning my power, what no longer “works” or for that matter, never worked (after sustaining my brain injury) I no longer have to see myself as limited.
Moving Forward with my Life after a Brain Injury
By re-framing, my experience and letting go of what can not be changed I am able to move forward with my life. Through seeing my experience as a “re-birthing” I am able to create with “what is“, instead of looking back to “what could have been”. By building on “what is” I am able to create my dreams in ways that work for me.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Strategies that Have Helped Me in my Re-birthing Process after my Brain Injury
Through my recovery process, I became aware that I am much more than my brain injury. I am made up of a mind, body, soul, spirit, and emotions. With this realization, I became aware that I needed to include my mind, body, spirit, soul, and emotions in my ongoing brain injury recovery process.
By examining how to involve my mind, body, spirit, soul, and, emotions in my ongoing brain injury recovery process I developed strategies.
Please read Part 3 of this article by clicking on this link:
Discovering a “New Normal” after Experiencing a Brain Injury Part 3
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Suzanne m Jenson says
WOAH — Did you read what mind that I have a Brain Injury? I have told anybody and everybody bout my miraculous ordeal. Nobody believes me. I always thought it had something of me not being Brain Injured for long. I had a lot of downfalls at the beginning. As time went by, I went forward.
Second Chance to Live says
Hi Suzanne, Thank you for leaving a comment and for what you shared with me. I understand, Suzanne. I have been living with the impact of an open skull fracture, a severe brain injury (when I was 10 years old) and an invisible disability since 1967. We are miracles to be able to do what we are doing after our brain injuries. What I have found is that what is most important is that I accept my reality. Several years ago I wrote an article that you may find to be helpful. Here is a link to the article, https://secondchancetolive.org/2016/07/02/brain-injury-feel-misunderstood-shunned/ and a link to a video presentation of the article, Suzanne, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wiwn3f72Kc&feature=youtu.be. I have also moved forward, like you, one day at a time. More will be revealed. Have a great day. Craig