People with rollercoaster emotions are my favorite. Those who’ve survived hell don’t just endure a trauma; they transform into unbreakable forces. The mentally, physically, and emotionally abused individuals I’ve met possess a quiet strength that shakes mountains. I know the weight of being labeled “DAMAGED.” I’ve asked “Why me?” in the dark, only to discover that surviving makes us unbreakable in ways the untouched world will never understand. The Crucible of Pain The world loves simple solutions. “Let go,” they say. “Move on.” As if trauma were a coat we could remove. But real healing isn’t about forgetting – it’s about alchemizing pain into power. Research shows trauma survivors often develop: In Lebanon, where youth face compounding crises – from economic collapse to the Beirut blast – this transformation happens daily. What appears to be survival is reinvention. Scars as Compasses Your wounds aren’t flaws – they’re maps. Each one says:“Here’s where I bled, and here’s how I healed.” That anxiety? It’s your nervous system’s genius. Those trust issues? They’re your boundaries for learning to speak. The depression? Your soul’s strike for better conditions. The Rebellion of Recovery: You’ll be Unbreakable Healing isn’t passive. It’s saying: This isn’t positivity – it’s revolution. And Lebanese youth are leading it. Voices of Resilience: Lebanese Teen Testimonials “From Invisible to Invincible”*”At 16, I hid my self-harm scars. At 19, I started a mental health blog. Now strangers message me: ‘Your story saved me.’”* — Layla, 20 “War Taught Me to Fight – For Myself”“After the Beirut blast, I stopped waiting for ‘better days.’ Now I paint murals where buildings fell.” — Yara, 22 “Love After the Unthinkable”“My uncle said no one would want ‘damaged goods.’ At 21, I married someone who kisses my trauma like it’s holy.” — Hanan, 22 “The Math of Survival”“They said a refugee kid couldn’t study. Now I tutor physics in three languages.” — Tarek, 21 “Anxiety as My Alarm System”“What they called ‘overreacting’ was my intuition. Now I trust it to protect me.” — Noor, 19 “Fatherless, Not Worthless”“Dad left, saying I’d fail. Graduating as valedictorian was my quiet revenge.” — Karim, 18 “The Art of Unbreaking”“Drawing kept me from disappearing. Now I sell art to fund therapy for others.” — Jad, 19 “Bullied to Advocate”“They mocked my stutter. Now I host a podcast about difference as strength.” — Rami, 17 Conclusion: The Unbreakable Phoenix Doctrine Trauma rearranges your DNA. What grows back isn’t the same – it’s stronger at the broken places. Lebanese youth prove this daily, turning war zones into canvases, silence into podcasts, pain into purpose. If you’re reading this through tears or tremors: “They told you to recover like a wound.But you?You grew back like a forest.” Stay Connected: https://www.instagram.com/cosetteawad.author https://www.instagram.com/executivewomen_ https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveWomen Read more articles: https://executive-women.global/en/stefanie-renoma-the-visionary-photographer-redefining-fashion/
“You Are Enough” How Trauma Shapes Unbreakable Souls – By Cosette Awad
Forged in Fire: A Journey of Resilience, Service, and Strength – Léna Hammoud
Introduction: A Calling to Serve From a young age, Lena Hammoud felt a deep pull toward helping others. At 25, her journey has been shaped by service, resilience, and an unyielding passion for sports and movement. Her story isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving in the face of adversity and using every challenge as fuel to uplift others. The Heart of a Volunteer: Answering the Call After Beirut’s Tragedy Lena’s commitment to service took on new meaning after Beirut’s port blast in 2020. Joining the Lebanese Civil Defense, she dedicated herself to emergency response and community aid, working tirelessly amid the chaos. “When you see people in their most vulnerable moments, you realize how much strength it takes to ask for help,” she reflects. “Being there for them—whether in crisis or recovery—is a privilege.” Years later, she still volunteers, proving that true passion doesn’t fade. “Some callings stay with you,” she says. “Helping others isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.” Movement as Medicine: Empowering Through Gymnastics and Adaptive Sports Lena’s love for sports isn’t just recreational—it’s transformative. As a gymnastics instructor for toddlers, she fosters confidence, discipline, and joy through movement. But her impact extends further: she’s also an adaptive physical activity instructor, helping individuals of all abilities discover their strength. “Movement is freedom,” she explains. “Whether it’s a child’s first cartwheel or an adaptive athlete breaking barriers, every small victory matters. Sports teach us that limits are often just illusions.” The Ultimate Test: Battling Cancer at 23 At 23, Lena faced a battle she never expected: cancer. The diagnosis shook her world, but she refused to let it define her. “Cancer was a storm I didn’t see coming,” she admits. “But storms don’t last forever.” With relentless courage and the support of loved ones, she emerged victorious. The experience didn’t break her—it reshaped her. “I learned that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time you do.” The Power of Resilience: Stronger After the Fire Lena’s journey embodies a powerful truth:“The strongest hearts are forged in the fires they survive.” Her battle with cancer didn’t weaken her spirit—it refined it. Today, she carries that strength into every aspect of her life, from teaching gymnastics to volunteering in emergencies. “Life will test you,” she says. “But remember: you are stronger than you think. Every challenge is a chance to grow, to adapt, and to come back fiercer than before.” A Message from Lena: Keep Rising To anyone facing their own battles—whether illness, self-doubt, or hardship—Lena leaves this message: “You are capable of more than you know. The road isn’t easy, but you don’t walk it alone. Lean on those who love you, trust in your strength, and never forget: the toughest trials often lead to the greatest triumphs. Keep going. Keep fighting. And most importantly, keep believing in yourself—because I believe in you.” Conclusion: A Life of Purpose Lena Hammoud’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, service, and an unbreakable spirit. Through volunteering, teaching, and overcoming life’s toughest challenges, she proves that even in darkness, we can find light—and use it to guide others. Her journey reminds us:We are not defined by what happens to us, but by how we rise after the fall. Final Thought: “The fire that tries to consume you can also be the one that forges you into something unshakable. Let your struggles strengthen you, and let your story inspire others.”— Lena Hammoud Stay Connected https://www.instagram.com/lenah_h_ https://www.instagram.com/executivewomen_ https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveWomen Read more articles: https://executive-women.global/en/you-are-enough-how-trauma-shapes-unbreakable-souls-by-cosette-awad/


