00:00The author recounts surviving profound trauma, specifically losing both parents in a car crash
00:05at age 14. This plunged them into deep grief, depression, and survivor's guilt, leaving them
00:10questioning the point of existence. They described feeling utterly lost and disconnected, barely
00:16going through the motions of life for a long time. Their path to finding a reason to keep going began
00:21when a persistent friend convinced them to volunteer with foster children. Reluctantly
00:25participating, they met a teenager whose story mirrored their own. In helping this child navigate
00:30pain, the author discovered their own suffering could be transformed into purpose. This wasn't an
00:35instant fix, but a slow realization that their experiences equipped them uniquely to support
00:40others facing similar darkness. Shifting their self-perception from victim to guide, the author
00:45frames this transformation using Viktor Frankl's concept of finding meaning in suffering and the
00:50psychological principle of post-traumatic growth. They emphasize that purpose isn't about erasing pain,
00:55but finding a reason within it, citing philosophies like Stoicism and Buddhism, practical steps like
01:01journaling, seeking support, volunteering, and reforming their personal narrative were crucial.
01:06The author concludes that while they aren't grateful for the trauma itself, the purpose discovered
01:10through it turned their survival into the ability to be a light for others.
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