Vietnam & Its Lessons in Resilience…
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Terri Wingham is the founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, a cancer survivor, and someone who believes that we are not defined by the most difficult aspects of our story. |
Pardon my “french”, but sometimes shit happens. Shit like someone stealing your iPhone on the first day of your round the world trip; finding out that the person you are still in love with has fallen in love with someone else; or receiving a pink slip in early January, mere days after your Christmas credit card bill arrives in the mail.
As you may know, the first couple of weeks of this Adventure of Hope have tested my resilience. Moments like when I got stranded in Hong Kong for two days, when my iPhone got stolen, and when terrible stomach cramps had me camped out in the bathroom this morning (at least my host family has a western toilet and I didn’t have to squat over a hole like I did while the railway ties galloped along underneath me during my 16-hour train ride from Ha Noi to Da Nang). (more…)
Comments (11)
Wonderful post Terri. I am thinking of you all the time! I just read this comment on resilience and thought well if this isn’t Terri, I don’t know what is!
“Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future.”
Just LOVE LOVE LOVE this comment. Big hugs and so happy to have you along for the journey.
T
xo
I am a breast cancer survivor as well, and a visit to Vietnam affected me in a similar way. As we emerged from the ‘American War Remnants Museum’ I exclaimed to our guide, “Why don’t your people hate Americans???” and he responded with life-affirming grace as did your hosts.
Thank you for sharing.
Jamie,
Thank you so much for your comment and it is such a pleasure to connect with you. I took a quick look at your site and I hope that sometime soon I can hear more about your story and how you got in the public speaking world. It’s a direction I’m hoping to take my career when I get back from this trip. I would love to trade cancer and travel stories. It sounds like we just may have a thing or two in common 😉
All the best from Vietnam!
Terri
Thank you for bringing Viet Nam to my office, and for giving me pause to reflect on all that is good in my life. Safe travels to you!
Comment #1: Q for Marie- Did you sleep at ALL last night?
Terri…. Guts, grit and determination…. Resilience? Hell yeah, that’s the easy part. You already got past the hardest part when you gave up your apartment and set foot on that plane.
In my thoughts EVERY day…..
xoxoxox
Oh how I love both of you:) You’re right – the hardest part was giving up my apartment and getting on the plane. Now, it’s just about putting one foot in front of the other and experiencing as much as I can while I’m here. Gigantic hugs. T xo
Loved this! Some times shit does happen but it’s when that shit puts other shit into perspective that we start learning. Deep, right?
Love reading what you write!
Katie (no hugs or kisses but lots of love)
So deep! Love it. No hugs and kisses, but lots of love right back at you.
T
p.s. Great new hair you’re sporting. Creeped on your FB pic. Hottie!
Terri, the pictures are amazing, as are your experience and perspective on life. I only hope we can see the same beauty in Vietnam through your eyes when we get there in April! I read a great book from a Vietnam war survivor after our last trip to Thailand but for the life of me, I can’t remember it. All the roadside stands sell it. The book above looks like a must read as well. You certainly have a way of putting life into perspective and I thank you for that!
Linda,
Thank you so much for the comment and I can’t wait to hear about your experience in Vietnam when you get there in April. I’m sure Joel will take some AMAZING shots. Looking forward to keeping in touch and trading travel stories one day soon!
Hugs from Saigon!
Terri