“The human spirit is stronger than anything that could happen to it.” ~C. C. Scott
During these past couple of weeks, while I’ve been recovering from my surgery, I’ve been watching a show called I Shouldn’t Be Alive, which has an entire season on Netflix.
Each episode chronicles the experiences of a person or people who came close to death in an adventure gone wrong.
One episode features two teenage boys who survived in a tiny boat, without food or water, for several days lost at sea. Another tells the story of an endurance athlete who survived two freezing nights in a canyon near Moab, Utah after falling 60 feet and shattering her pelvis.
The title itself pulled me in—this idea of somehow cheating death. But it’s not just the physical survival that’s so compelling; it’s also the emotional and mental fortitude that helped each of these people stay alive, despite knowing their odds of rescue.
Though in each case, they were obviously fortunate to be saved, many lived far longer than one might expect their bodies could endure—and it was often because they found a compelling reason to hold on.
They thought about the people they loved, and all the life they’d yet to live, and in doing so found a strong motivation to push through their pain and keep going.
Through sheer will, raw instincts, and determination, these people overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and in doing so, created their own miracles.
Most of us will never need to combat starvation, subfreezing temperatures, or killer sharks, but we’ll each have our own battles. Many will push us, stretch us, and compel us to question just how much we can take.
We may find ourselves feeling hopeless or resigned, and we may wonder if there will ever be a light at the end of the tunnel.
That’s when we need to realize the brightest light is within us.
We are the ones who can save us. We are our own rescue mission.
We may not have all the answers. And we may need help and support along the way. But ultimately, when we’re feeling stuck, we’re the ones that need to hold on, push through, and make our way to the other side.
We’ll inevitably face challenges in life. The best defense is believing that we are strong, we will survive, and we will be better for it.
Photo by soham_pablo
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
The song “(What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You) STRONGER” by Kelly Clarkson comes to mind =].
Thank you … after several days of anxiety and depression related to both work and personal stuff, I needed this article to help me discover my own personal strength. This post just happened to pop up into my email at the perfect moment.
Very inspirational Lori. Thank you. And good to keep hearing from you on the mend.
As most of your posts do, your post today has given me faith! Thank you for sharing what you are learning through your process. You are truly a light in the world and in my world in particular. May love, light, joy, peace, well-being and great abundance be yours, today and always! ~ Sarah
Very nicely said Lori…woah!! all my childhoood i ws always spoonfed and was never really exposed to the real world…Now in colllege when i am alone i have started to see the real world..I had a breakup..messed up my studies..and stilll i tend to doubt whether i ll be able to get through all dis..articles like this help so much..reading them gives me hope and belief in myself..Thanks so much Lori..Keep such articles coming!! =)
I find it interesting that sometimes your blog topics are exactly what I might need to hear. “when you feel hopeless . . . realize the brightest light is within us.” Thanks for being in synchronicity with the universe Lori!
I guess if we are in the right frame of mind, we can feel the pulse of the planet.
This is timely for me Lori, after a challenging month at work I feel, hurt, struggling, doubtful and uneasy, I had developed such resilience over the last six year, but lately I seem to be at a loss to find it. The idea of the brightness present within me gives me hope that I can locate it and take strength and comfort from it. Thank you.
Love this Lori! Think it’s so true. Only question is where is God in this? Maybe it is God in us that pulls us through?
Great post! One thing that I’ve noticed in many of those stories where people have survived what seems like impossible circumstances to endure, is that their will to keep pushing on has that one thing in common — having something to live for. Unfortunately, however, I do not believe that this is the case for everyone on the planet. There are some of us who believe that there isn’t anything to live for so if we found ourselves in similar circumstances, it would be much easier to accept the fate that falls upon us, without fighting for the strength to make it to another day. I think that people who feel a sense of responsibility to others or a sense of dedication to others are more likely to withstand and survive challenges that even they themselves may not have thought they would overcome.
You’re most welcome Laura! I love what you wrote at the end, about feeling the pulse of the planet. What a beautiful idea.
That’s a great point. I actually wondered, when watching some of these episodes, how people would have fared if they didn’t feel as positive, engaged, or connected in life (or if they were struggling with depression, for example). They really needed to be focused and determined, and that requires a sense of clarity and hope.
I’d like to think that for each of us, there are lots of things to live for; we just need to recognize them. As you suggested, find a sense of purpose and a responsibility to others helps a great deal!
Thanks Brian! I think that’s a question we all need to ask ourselves. My sense of spirituality doesn’t actually include a higher power, so for me, God doesn’t factor into the equation at all. I see the “higher power” as the totality of the universe, and I embrace my uncertainty about what else there might be. But other people may find it more comforting to find strength in the idea of God. Incidentally, I wrote an article about this topic that you might find interesting:
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Discovering-the-Sacred-Lori-Deschene-01-04-2012.html
You’re most welcome Anne. I’m sorry to hear about your challenging month at work! I’ve had a challenging month as well, with a number of physical, emotional, financial, and professional struggles. I’m sending good thoughts your way as you access your inner light. =)
You’re most welcome Abhi! I remember college…that was a tough time for me as well. We go through so many changes then, and there are definitely a lot of tests and struggles. I’m glad my posts are helpful to you as you navigate these challenges!
Thanks so much Sarah. I’m sending love and light right back to you!
Thanks David, and you’re most welcome. =)
You’re most welcome Leigh. I’ve been there before, and I know it isn’t easy. I’m sending love and good thoughts your way!
Yes, and the Kanye West song!
Hi,
I’m not sure if this is the best place to write this but I have just been recommended this blog and I think it is so inspirational and a real resource for life! I run a business (uniquely organic EcoSpa) and have just shared this with all put clients as I feel it is that valuable. Have loved all te posts I have read so far so a massive and humble thank you to all who have contributed.
Much love,
Kirsty x
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the site and that you decided to share it! On behalf of all the contributors, you’re most welcome. =)
I love how positive you are Lori! The first thing I thought when you described the show was “No way
– watching that would freak me out!” I’m pretty sure that seeing a bunch of near death experiences of others would leave them replaying in my head and mess with my enjoyment of my own peaceful adventures.
As usual, you bring things away from the negative and to a happy balance. I’m still not sure if I’ll watch it, but I can totally appreciate the human spirit overcoming adversity. I also appreciate your positive spin on things 🙂
Lori – thank you so much for this wonderful blog! You and the other contributors help add a much needed island of sanity to my day. Often the posts are right on target with ideas for things I have been thinking about (or struggling with) in my own life. Take care & hope you are fully back in your stride soon. =) Teri
Thanks so much Teri! And you’re most welcome. =)
That’s so interesting to me, because I’m fascinated by this show and I just keep on watching! I’ve always been drawn to survival stories, actually. I’m just amazed at the strength it takes to overcome these types of challenging situations. I’m glad you enjoyed this post, even if the show isn’t for you. =)
I agree whole heartedly with Laura. So often when I’m feeling I just haven’t got what it takes to face the day, I come to the Tiny Buddha site and more often than not the most recent post is just what I need to hear and be reminded of or work on for the day. Thank you Lori for sharing your thoughts, wisdom and journey and as Laura said for “being in synchronisity with the universe”.
You’re most welcome Corisse. I really get so much from running the site. It helps me work through a lot of my own challenges and grow and learn from the experiences. I love knowing I’m able to do that and also help other people. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. =)
Interesting timing for this post, since last week was the Holocaust rememberence day in Israel. There are many stories and movies of survivors, one of them being a book written by Viktor Frankl- Man’s search for meaning, all about this subject.
I can’t think of worse physical or emotional conditions to survive under.
The survivors and generations after are still traumatized by what went there, and how it’s even humanly possible….
May we never forget.
I feel that the best thing to live for is not someone else or something. The “thing” to live for is the light in us, and yourself. You are the reason you live for! 🙂
I actually almost referenced Man’s Search for Meaning in this post. What a life-changing book. I remember visiting Dachau when I was doing a semester abroad in college. That part of humanity–that capacity for acts of dehumanization, torture, and destruction–terrifies me. May we never forget indeed.
I love that! We are each our own reason. =)