Bounce Back or Break Down?

I came across this article in Word for Today, and it really spoke to me. It’s not what happens to you in life that counts; how you respond makes all the difference.
 
 
Word for Today
 
“When resilient people hit bottom, they don’t break; they bounce back. They never give up even when they don’t know what to do. In times of trouble, when they are knocked down, they get up again. So, how can you bounce back instead of breaking? By doing two things:
 
1. When you can’t control your circumstances, take control of your life. When a back injury paralysed Angela Madsen from the waist down, she vowed to do whatever it took to get back up.
 
As a result, she started training to be the first woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic.
 
Journalist Denise Foley writes: ‘Madsen is what researchers call “resilient”…able to rebound from whatever difficulty life brings. She is one of those people who…make us wonder how we would fare if our own mettle were tested. Would we bounce back?’
 
2. Instead of complaining about the wrong people being in your life, start looking for the right people.
 
Ned Hallowell grew up with a father with bipolar, an abusive stepfather, an alcoholic mother, and two learning disabilities – a history that’s often a precursor to jail or a mental health facility.
 
But he went on to become a prominent psychiatrist, a happily married father, and a successful author. It happened mainly because, at a boarding school, he attached himself to teachers who cared about him and took him under their wing.
 
So, when times are tough, take control of your life and look for the right people.”
 
 
I looked deeper into Ned Hallowell’s life, and it’s inspiring to see how he completely transformed his life after facing such challenges early on.
 
 
Personal Challenges in Childhood
 
Dr. Ned Hallowell grew up with both ADHD and dyslexia, which were poorly understood at the time. He faced academic and social struggles, often feeling isolated and misunderstood.
 
His early life was marked by family trauma. His father developed schizophrenia and was institutionalised during Ned’s childhood, leaving a profound emotional impact. He described his upbringing as chaotic, filled with fear and instability.
 
Hallowell has openly shared the shame and stigma he felt living with learning differences and a mentally ill parent, especially in an era when such issues were rarely acknowledged.
 
 
Turning Point
 
Despite these challenges, Hallowell graduated from Harvard College, earned a medical degree from Tulane University, and completed psychiatric training at Harvard.
 
His experiences shaped a strength-based, compassionate approach to ADHD—seeing it not just as a disorder, but a source of untapped potential when understood and supported.
 
Dr. Hallowell’s life is a powerful example of turning adversity into purpose. His mission is to help others avoid the shame he once felt and discover their true potential.
 
 
Here are five key takeaways.
 
1. Resilience Is a Choice, Not a Trait
You may not control your circumstances, but you can control your response. Both Angela Madsen and Ned Hallowell faced extreme adversity—paralysis and traumatic childhoods—but chose not to be defined by it. Their stories show that resilience is not something you’re born with; it’s something you practice.
 
2. Purpose Gives Strength
After becoming paralysed, Angela Madsen set an extraordinary goal: to row across the Atlantic. It wasn’t just about physical recovery—it was about regaining meaning. A strong purpose can anchor you during the storms of life.
 
3. The Right People Can Change Everything
Hallowell’s life turned when caring teachers stepped in. No matter how difficult your background, just one or two supportive people can make the difference between despair and hope. Seeking out the “right people” is not optional—it’s essential.
 
4. Adversity Can Be Fuel for Impact
Both Madsen and Hallowell turned their pain into power, recovering from hardship and using it to help others. Resilient people often become beacons for those facing similar challenges.
 
5. Let Go of What You Can’t Control
Trying to change people, situations, or past trauma only deepens frustration. Instead, focus your energy on what you can do: build your mindset, find community, and commit to your goals.
 
 
Thoughts for the week: 

1. How do you respond to setbacks—do you break or bounce back?
2. What past challenge has made you stronger?
3. Who are the right people in your life—and are you reaching out to them?
4. Do you focus more on what you’ve lost or what you still have?
5. What’s one step you can take today to move forward? 

 
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend, and keep believing.
 
Warm regards

John

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