"Why do some people fall apart in a crisis while others not only survive but thrive? In Bouncing Forward, twelve inspiring role models--including civil rights icon Maya Angelou and autistic pioneer Temple Grandin--share their profound insights on how they emerged from hardship stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. Michaela Haas, PhD, provides deeply personal interviews as well as time-tested, heartfelt advice for finding healing after setbacks that will shine a light when life seems overwhelming. By exploring the new science of posttraumatic growth, Bouncing Forward offers over sixty tried-and-true methods to grow in five areas of your life. A cutting-edge look at the uplifting discovery of how we can flourish in the face of challenges, this groundbreaking book beautifully reshapes the way we think of crisis and trauma." P. [4] of cover.

Introduction : Crisis as a launching pad for growth -- Part I. BEYOND RESILIENCE : Strategies for strengthening our soul's immune system : 1. LOVE : "Nobody can do it alone" : Civil rights icon Maya Angelou turned clouds intor rainbows -- 2. SURVIVE : "Fear is not a word I even use" : Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum endured being held prisoner in the first Iraq war and now passes on her lessons in optimism to every US soldier -- 3. GROWTH : "More vulnerable, yet stronger" : How psychologist Richard Tedeschi, the pioneer of post-traumatic growth, helps survivors bounce forward -- 4. DIG DEEP : "Take out the weeds and plant flower" : Can we prepare for trauma? A visit to the army's resilience boot camp in Philadelphia -- 5. PLAY : "You can't stop me from dreaming" : Jazz Legend Coco Schumann survived Auschwitz by playing for his life ; Part II. EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY in ADVERSITY : Reversing the logic of good and bad : 6. ACCEPT : "Sickness as an assignment" : How I grappled with the idea that adversity has advantages -- 7. THRIVE : "The luckiest girl on earth" : Meggie Zahneis lives a life that is pain-free, but not painless -- 8. PRAY : "Let go, bu don't give up" : Why Alain Beauregard calls terminal cancer the "greatest gift" of his life -- 9. EVOLVE : "How much does your pain hurt? : How Temple Grandin, the world's most successful autistic animal behaviorist , deals with pain and panic attacks -- 10. BREATHE : "You don't find wholeness till you're ready to be broken" : Roshi Bernie Glassman,a Jewish-born Zen teacher, finds healing in places of horror; Part III. MAKING a DIFFERENCE : Helping ourselves and others : 11. ADRENALIZE : "The magic formula" : Helping others helpes rock star Rick Allan get back into his game -- 12. SHINE : "One of the bravest cats I know" : How top surfer Jesse Billauer returned to the US Open -- 13. FORGIVE : "I will be joyful, dammit!" : Why Cindi Lamb isn't MADD anymore -- Epilogue -- Guide : Five effective exercises for cultilvating courage in the face of adversity.