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Why I don’t talk about the fire

By December 8, 201724 Comments

Hey champ,

In an interview I did last week, the reporter asked me lots of questions about the fire. Questions I didn’t answer.

See, in the majority of interviews I do, I just won’t talk about the fire.

I’ll talk about recovery, I’ll talk about the things I’ve achieved since and all the lessons along the way, but I won’t talk about the actual fire.

It’s not because talking about it upsets me, it’s just that talking about the fire has become sort of boring for me.

Imagine your house got broken into, and six years later people still wanted to hear about the exact minute you turned the key in your front door and saw all your stuff gone, how you had to fill in police reports ,and deal with your insurance company, and file all that paperwork, and install security systems and then buy a new TV.

You’d be sick of telling that story right?

Now, in my case, I know the story is anything but boring – there’s a cast of crazy characters, danger, a split second decision, a catastrophic event, a heroic rescue, a medical team that work against the clock to save lives, survival against the odds and an epic love story – all set against the startling beauty of the Kimberley’s remote wilderness.
(Someone call Spielberg, we’ve got his next blockbuster ready to go haha!).

But it’s not interesting to me that a fire changed my life (and the lives of some other really cool people).

Hard, life-changing events happen to people all the time.
I am not unique in that.

What’s interesting to me is how we choose to grow and change from these events.

Why would I want to focus on an event that happened in my life when I could focus my energy on how I’m changing my life?

After all, life is not about what happens to us, but what we do about it – Tweet it.

So why am I telling you this? Well, maybe you’ve been through a hard time, or maybe you’re going through one right now.

If that’s the case, I’d love to ask you this:

How can you stop focusing on what happened, and start focusing on what you can do about it?
How you can grow, how you can change, how you can be stronger, bigger, and yes more interesting than what happened to you?

That’s the kind of story I’d love to hear from you.

Let me know in the comments below about something you’re working on changing in your life.

Turia xx

PS – Don’t want to miss my posts? I don’t blame ya! Pop your details here so I can let you know the next time I share a strategy like this one.

24 Comments

  • Denise Ross says:

    Overcoming depression and losing weight from medication and being unmotivated. I’ve turned corner and want to enjoy my life.
    Thankyou for the inspiration Turia.
    Congratulations to you both on the safe arrival of your beautiful boy.
    Merry Christmas ???

  • Deralene Rudolewicz says:

    Just leaving you a thank you, I know these are just two words Turia but they come with a s#!t load of gratitude and true sentiment!
    I have followed you from the beginning of your journey (that day) and have used you your inspiring story to share with many Teens in my Teen Workshops I run, I remind friends of your story when they are facing their fears and I know we all measure our challenges and struggles in life differently, but in the end I jear so loudly… from you…. the same consistent message, that life is for living, embracing our future, facing our fears and encouraging others to take those small steps!!

    Thank you thank you beautiful lady ?
    And I love your Instragram posts of your precious little man ?
    I follow you and love your posts, I find motivation and inspiration to be the best version of me that I can be.
    xoxo

  • Lesley says:

    Great! I’m focusing on recovery & my fab life post cfs which is the last time I’m mentioning it!????
    My Woman – u r such an inspiration to ME!
    Much ? & ??
    Lesley Christine

  • Erin says:

    I have been following you for awhile and your strength and courage is awe inspiring. A few months ago, my family had a house fire. Thankfully, everyone is safe. That being said, it has completely turned our world upside down and kind of was the start to a downward spiral of events that have taken place since. This post resonates deeply with me, as I am struggling to find how this event or events will change me and the changes I/we can make from it. And I am excited about it. It has given us a free pass to make changes that we have talked about, wished for or didn’t even think of. However, I am having a hard time getting past the the actual chaos this event(s) have caused. How do you take something traumatic and turn it into something purposeful and meaningful? That is my struggle. Reading this, seeing you doing life so beautifully, gives me hope that one of these days I will figure it out. God Bless and keep doing you!

  • Jennifer Crosson says:

    Dear Turia,
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on focusing on the “process” of moving beyond an event to the start the proactive introspective of getting what I call “unstuck “. I believe this process can help in every aspect of one’s life. I’m wondering what your thoughts might be in regards to relating this to let’s say teaching at risk youth or Immigrants that have experienced trauma and now are living and attending schools in North America and how teachers can help in providing safe spaces for them to move on to the process of using their experiences to problem solve in their learning and growth as a contributing member of society?

  • Tracey Quin says:

    Proud of you x because of who you are and your overwhelming positivity ?

  • Elly says:

    You inspire me. Xx

  • Laura hunter says:

    3 yes ago myself and 9 week Bub were badly burnt. During my recovery at home when I was discharged from hospital I sat around feeling sorry for myself, my mum was raising my kids and living with us. The constant pain and the opioid addiction I got from it. I had a choice- to sit around and feel sorry for myself or get off my ass and take control. Which meant looking after my kids again and not to be afraid. I decided I wanted to help people and inspire them that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I enrolled myself into community services and aod at our local tafe in Canberra. I’m now just about to complete my diploma this year and start my placement. I managed to get through all of it despite having surgery and missing a big block of classes but I was determined. I wanted to make my kids proud, my family and myself.
    I still to this day have issues of wearing certain clothes and showing my burns but I have to pinch myself and say wake up Laura and get on with it. To be told that you inspire people is a great feeling, I feel like I’m showing them even in your darkest days you can be do anything you want to. We all have a choice.

  • Silvia De Simone says:

    Few days ago a dear friend of mine had a crash with his moto. Yesterday the church was so full that people waited outside the road. He have a football school and our guys are very good players because of him.
    So, how we can grow or change with that
    Laughing as he fast any time going on with love , awareness and passion. He always said go on find the streight and live intense
    This is the best thing he left to us to parents and child. This is the challenge going on and learn from his absence too. I’m trying already. Thank you to gived me the chance to talk about him. We have to go on and to catch the moment . Thank you stay blessed

    Silvia

  • Belinda Schofield says:

    Turia,

    So the questions you’ve raised are the ones I’m trying desperately to answer…. in October 2016 I was on my dream holiday in Hawaii when I was involved in a bad accident (yes I’m one of those ones who didn’t have the right insurance) I will for the rest of my life have a daily reminder of what happened to me with my scars and pain both physically and mentally. It’s not about the accident but as you said it’s moving forward… I managed to keep my career (I’m a Police Officer) even though part of my hand was crushed into little pieces. There are some moments that I feel are worse than the accident itself and that is what I’m trying to focus on but not having much luck. I’ll keep trying and keep reading your stories for guidance. One day at a time hey… thanks for taking the time. You’re truly amazing. ?

    • Turia Pitt says:

      One day at a time – you’re bang on there Belinda! Keep focusing on each step. T x

  • Samantha says:

    Hi Turia

    This was absolutely something I needed to read! Wow.

    I’m suffering from PTSD due to something that happened 2 years ago. It’s been a LONG battle and I can’t seem to move on but you know what. I’ve NEVER heard it put like this. Not even from my therapist. Wow. I’ve screen shot this so j can read this and remind myself. How can I change this and move on! Thank you so much!

    Do you have a book or anything? I’d love to read it if you do. How can one post resonate with me so much!

    Samantha xxxxx

    • Turia Pitt says:

      I’m glad it’s helped! And yep, check out the ‘Shop’ on this site – all my books are there. Hope they help!

  • Stacy Henderson says:

    I wish so much that I could answer that question… I’m still trying. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and just when I think I have it figured out it throws me for a loop and I have to start over. It’s not a single event. It’s a life long one.

  • Sarina says:

    I would like to start by saying you’re an amazing soul that I have admired for a while now. After everything you’ve been through, you still look at all the good in your life. I want to accomplish the same state of mind and it’s a daily battle. I’m trying to learn to love myself and appreciate all the good around me and less on the mistakes I’ve made after the loss of my husband in 2012. I’d like to think I’ve grown is some ways. Now I’m on a mission to learn from my mistakes and remember someone ALWAYS has it much worse than I. Staying humble and living with gratitude is very important. Thanks again for being you and helping others.

  • Sarina says:

    I would like to start by saying you’re an amazing soul that I have admired for a while now. After everything you’ve been through, you still look at all the good in your life. I want to accomplish the same state of mind and it’s a daily battle. I’m trying to learn to love myself and appreciate all the good around me and less on the mistakes I’ve made after the loss of my husband in 2012. I’d like to think I’ve grown is some ways. Now I’m on a mission to learn from my mistakes and remember someone ALWAYS has it much worse than I. Staying humble and living with gratitude is very important. Thanks again for being you and helping others.

  • Christine Batman says:

    An inspiration

  • Belinda Stallard says:

    I find you so inspiring and motivational. I have been through a traumatic event when I was 21 and it’s left me with bad anxiety. I always focus on creating happy memories and like to focus on positive happy things rather than looking back. It’s a working progress but I take one day at a time.

  • Mikaela says:

    This is so great! I’ve started working to raise funds to go to Africa! The dream is to plant gardens worldwide and build a safe-haven that’s open 24/7 to youth and young adults. So far I have $20 raised! Woohoo! Only $1,980 to go! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your life with us, your courage is contagious.
    Many thanks,
    Mikaela

  • Helen Knight says:

    Love to get updates from you.

  • Helen Knight says:

    Love to get updates from you

  • Aly says:

    Wow your so inspirational ❤️ I’m also going through a tough season in life , and have no idea what’s gonna happen . But I have faith in the Lord that something Amazing is coming