Resources > Counseling 101 Storm Wackiness! Posted by Rev. Jeff Dixon, compiled from various resources and sources on Sep 7, 2004, 16:56

Storm Wackiness!

Have you ever noticed that some people just seem to crack under the stress of storms? Why do some people seem to become bitter or hateful after a crisis like this one, instead of just being grateful to be alive?

A disaster like this “dumps out” whatever is inside of a person, so you will see the best and the worst of behavior in the days ahead. This natural disaster was overwhelming to everyone, so be prepared for some unusual emotional reactions in yourself and the people around you. Sometimes people who were the most hurting before the storm will act wonderful and kind on the other side of recovering from this type of traumatic event.

It's like they find a hidden strength in a crisis and reach out to others in a new way.

Others just go numb and will seem to act like they are robots. Some people will get loud and others will become unusually quiet. There are many reasons for the wide range of emotional response; with a common factor being how many difficult and traumatic experiences they may have already witnessed in their lives. Hopefully, some people may have already sorted through these deep hurts and strong emotions before the storms hit.

Other people can get completely cutting, hateful and mean in everything that they say and do, even if they weren't that way before the storm. They may even try to chase you off with a broom if you try to help them clean up the broken limbs in their yard! Don't panic, they probably aren't having a breakdown, rather it's likely a behavior some people call being ‘hardhearted.’ This comes from years worth of unresolved past hurts being piled up and never addressed or resolved. Try not to take it personally if the criticism comes your way. Remember the rule that "hurt people- hurt people" so learn to take their negative comments with a grain of salt while still attempting to maintain

integrity in caring for others who may be able to receive the offer of a helping hand to get through this difficult time.

Finding strength in storms by linking arms with others is what the massive Redwood trees in California do to withstand incredible pressure.

Redwoods are massive trees, many are over 300 feet high, yet only have root systems that go 4-5 feet deep. Why don't they fall over in a gentle breeze? Simple. The mighty Redwoods never grow alone. They link their roots together and withstand ten times the stress and pressure because they are not alone in the storm. They need each other to stand strong and so do we. This crisis has given us a chance to stand strong together, just like the Redwoods do. This is our time to get focused, build healthy coping skills into our daily life and be surrounded by strong people who have the heart and resources to stand firm by living out what they believe. And it’s time for you to stand alongside them as we all come together to rebuild our community after the storm.

No matter what the size of crisis event, you can find strength after the storm because moving beyond the stress is the beginning of finding greater success.

Stories of the Redwood borrowed from Dwight Bain, the instructor at the TCR, Trained Crisis Responder Course for Disaster Relief and Terrorism that Jeff Dixon was a part of.