Savielly Tartakover, a Grand Master of chess from Poland, was quoted as saying, “Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do.”

I have been reminded of this time and again when I meet with clients who have survived tremendous hardship and abuse as children. There was truly nothing that they could do to change their worlds. Yet they found ingenious strategies to preserve their spirits and maintain their sense of hope and possibility. Along with the nightmares and the panic attacks and the tears, they bring to my office determination and courage and inner strength. These are the transcenders who inspire me.