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Learning from our Ancestors

In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I was joined by Andy Campbell (Listen Here). We explored Andy's incredible journey of battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, tragically compounded by the loss of his youngest son to suicide. Andy’s story is not only one of survival but of resilience forged in the fire of relentless adversity. From enduring childhood sexual abuse and physical assault to the sudden death of his mother and an estranged relationship with his father, Andy was forced to confront suffering early and often. Yet through it all, he developed an unwavering foundation rooted in core values—values he has deliberately "programmed" into his internal operating system. Many of these values stem from his ancestral roots, a source of wisdom and strength he continues to reflect on.

As I reflected on our conversation, I found myself returning to a theme that has helped me navigate my struggles: the enduring relevance of ancient wisdom. In a world obsessed with innovation and speed, we often overlook the lessons left behind by those who came before us. But when life brings us to our knees, it is not always new strategies that rescue us—it’s the timeless truths carried through generations.

From a psychological standpoint, this isn’t just a poetic reflection. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, emphasized in Man’s Search for Meaning that suffering, when paired with purpose, can become transformative. Frankl’s logotherapy teaches us that meaning can be found even in the darkest moments—a notion that parallels Andy’s journey and the ancestral values that sustained him.

Research in clinical psychology has also demonstrated that individuals who draw upon a strong personal belief system or cultural identity are more likely to develop resilience in the face of trauma (Ungar, 2013). These belief systems often derive from religious or ancestral traditions—stories passed down through families that help individuals interpret their pain through a larger, more hopeful lens.

Furthermore, neuroscience reveals that the narratives we tell ourselves shape our brain’s response to stress. When we align our personal experiences with broader, meaningful stories—like those from history or our heritage—we activate neural pathways associated with emotional regulation and resilience (Zahran et al., 2020).

While emotions like anger, resentment, and sadness are natural responses to hardship, what makes the difference is the internal architecture we've built to hold those feelings. Like Andy, many of us can draw strength from the wisdom of our ancestors—whether it’s stoic endurance, spiritual insight, or cultural rituals that remind us who we are and where we come from.

Incorporating ancient wisdom into our lives is not about living in the past. It's about preparing ourselves before the storm comes. As Andy so powerfully said in the episode: "You have to put your helmet on before you need it."

So how can we use the stories of those who came before us—not just to survive but to thrive? We can start by reflecting on the values we inherit, the resilience we witness in those who endured, and the legacies we wish to leave behind. In doing so, we not only create meaning from our experiences but also map out a blueprint for others to follow.

References

Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.

Ungar, M. (2013). Resilience, trauma, context, and culture. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 14(3), 255–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838013487805

Zahran, S., Shelley, T. O. C., Peek, L., & Brody, S. D. (2020). Narrative sensemaking, personal resilience, and post-disaster recovery. Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy, 11(1), 61–86. https://doi.org/10.1002/rhc3.12183

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