The resilience of the human spirit constantly amazes me. People can experience incredible trauma and tragedy and emerge with their true spirit in tact. Tupac’s Song, “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” is a perfect metaphor for resilience in the wake of trauma.
Tupac writes about the grit and strength it takes to make something good out of rough conditions: “Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared, proving nature’s laws wrong it learned to walk without having feet.”
Isn’t that what it’s like to experience childhood trauma, or any trauma at all? Doesn’t it feel as if the legs are cut off from under you (learned to walk without having feet). It feels isolating and so lonely at times, (When no one else even cared). And yet, so many amazing survivors of trauma grow from the concrete of their toxic families, abusive relationships, or traumatic pain. Many children in neglectful/abusive families raised themselves and taught themselves to be better than their circumstances.
Some found the strength to leave abusive partners, some found the strength to set boundaries with toxic families. Others have rebuilt their lives financially, emotionally, and psychologically.
Something within you – your precious, beautiful soul – decided to find a way out, grow, and seek healing.
For those who are hard on themselves for “not being over it yet”, or for not being perfect:
You are the rose that grew from concrete
For those of you who are weighed down by the burden of shame:
You are the rose that grew from concrete
I am sending love and compassion to you – I am sending patience and peace your way.
I am sending you the strength to be gentle with your precious self.
You are the rose that grew from concrete
In your pain and loneliness remember:
You are the rose that grew from concrete
Your healing takes as long as it takes. You have been so strong. You have done so much work. Be amazed that you were able to grow in the conditions you grew in. It’s okay that you are not perfect, you are growing, healing and changing.
You are the rose that grew from concrete