A traumatic event doesn't doom us to suffer indefinitely. Instead, we can use it as a springboard to unleash our best qualities and lead happier lives.

Source: "The Game That can Give You 10 Extra Years of Life." TEDGlobal 2012. Jun. 2012. Conference Presentation. Additional Information: According to this quote from game designer Jane McGonigal, suffering a powerfully painful experience does not mean you have to be unhappy forever. Instead, such an experience can cause the opposite to happen: it can propel you to greater happiness and self-discovery than you had before said traumatic experience. This quote is from McGonigal's 2012 TED Talk about a game that can lead to greater happiness and a longer life. According to McGonigal, the game can help you experience the phenomenon described in this quote -- "post-traumatic growth." Watch the full TED Talk here: Jane McGonigal - The Game That can Give You 10 Extra Years of Life