I was talking with a colleague/friend the other day and she asked me how I was doing. I quickly answered that I was fine. Then I paused and thought am I really fine or is that just my default answer? So we started a longer discussion about this which led me to say that by nature I am an optimistic realist. I grew up feeling safe and loved but with some challenges that helped me to build resiliency.
But that doesn't explain it all. I have been an OSW for 30 years first working in palliative care/ end of life and then at a community based org where we see people through all stages of their cancer experience. I think some of the existential challenges that our patients and their family members face: loss of control, unwanted aloneness, living with uncertainty and loss of hope. I have so much gratitude for the lessons these people taught me. These are the very same challenges I face today and for the foreseeable future.
So nature, nurture, and life experience brought me to a place where at least for today I can say I am fine.