Most of the things I am often, though not always, good at -- remembering, thinking about others first, anticipating what others need or want, being happy in my own company, having a lively imagination, being a reader, and even just being quiet -- came about because of childhood stress, toxicity, or trauma.
And, not that everything was negative. I was a mostly happy child, supported and encouraged. But if I look deeply at motivating factors, the negatives stand out.
Frankly, most of those coping characteristics have helped me to be a true reader, a good student, and an effective teacher.
Have my best students been traumatized in those same ways?
Sobering, even scary reflections.
