Crisis: Danger Vs. Opportunity

November 10th & 12th of 2015
危 vs. 機
When a family crisis occurs it can be a family's downfall or miracle.

Opportunity for growth:

• miracle
• develop compassion
• humility
• understanding
• revelation

       This traumatic experience will not be pleasant, will not be desirable, and will not be good- but it will be strengthening. Some questions we discussed in class that are good to ask yourself are:

How do we look at trials? Are they blessings or punishments? How do we feel about struggles? Are we thankful or angry?

"Often times struggles come because of what we are doing right."

Comparing the feelings of : "Stress" and "Distress" we are better able to understand the beneficial actions we can take when going through struggles.
Stress

• healthy
• necessary
• beneficial

Distress

• physio-emotional
• overwhelming
• negative/ pessimistically focused

>>The TEDTALK by Kelly, titled "How to make stress your friend" is truly inspired. It really helped open my eyes to stress and coping.

A quote from the Family Relations textbook states, "Whatever the particular crisis you face, there are always alternative way to dealing with it" (199). We also discussed different coping methods:
Ineffective:

• Denial
• Avoidance
• Scapegoating

Effective:

• Take responsibility
• Affirm your own and your families worth
• Balance self-concern w/ other concern
• Learning the Art of Reframing( changing perspective)
• Find and use available resources

Family structure is the best thing for us to analyze to better our crisis situation and futures. Opening up with your family is the best way to brig it together. Vulnerability allows us to create stronger bonds. Thank you for reading!