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HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE HEALING

JOURNEY

Finding the path

to recovery.

BY MICHELLE L RAYMOND

very week on the radio I interview How are we to heal when we are ashamed does the opposite. It makes us stronger
interesting corporate leaders, inspiring of our journeys? because we can transform the suffering into
entrepreneurs, or avid adventurers resilience and compassion.
Ewith amazing stories. It is usually a A PARADIGM SHIFT
business-focussed conversation centring on Let us start by removing idle chit-chat from Our well-being and performance go hand-
innovation, technology and leadership. our social circles. Let us take a genuine in-hand. If we acknowledge our struggles
interest in the well-being of others. Let and get the necessary help, we can move
On one particular day, a lady walked in and, us erase from our vocabularies the all-to- away from a life of mere survival to a life that
little did I know that her story would render common phrases like 'I'm fine thanks' and thrives. We all deserve that!
me to tears - not something you'd expect 'Ja, no, can't complain'.
from a business show.
CREATE A SAFE SPACE Where to get immediate
Without any warning, she jumped right to the We have all gone through something that help if you are suffering
point and told me the heart-breaking story has caused us pain. Once we are brave from a crisis:
of how she had recently lost her 9-month- enough to open up about it, it is surprising
old baby to leukaemia. Her bravery was to discover how many people have gone SUICIDE PREVENTION HELPLINE
an inspiration - to come on live radio and through or are going through something Lifeline: 0800 567 567 or
share an intimate story and her journey to similar. Let us share our stories with courage 0861 322 322
recovery. She is now an ambassador for and compassion. DOMESTIC ABUSE AND
childhood cancer research and organises RAPE HELPLINE
frequent community blood drives with the GET HELP
SANBS to allow people to support her in a These days, there are so many options Tears Foundation: *134*7355#
constructive and meaningful way. when it comes to healing. And because it CHILD ABUSE HELPLINE
is such a complex and personal journey, Child Welfare South Africa:
It is stories like this and many more that my it is important to choose something that 0800 055 555
work as a life coach has given me front-row feels right and is aligned with what we CANCER SUPPORT HELPLINE
access to, the unseen and rarely divulged believe.
struggles almost every person carries. CANSA: 0800 22 66 22
These stories include everything from A wise man once said, "Allow people the
miscarriages and difficult births, death of dignity of their own journey." If none of these situations are
loved ones, depression, neglect, fear, pain, relevant to you, feel free to visit my
abuse and sadness. Many of these stories Our suffering does not define us. But it can website: www.achievegreatness.co.za
are suppressed and internalised because and will hold us back from living a fulfilled life. should you wish to start your healing
modern society has not created the space to journey through coaching.
openly share and connect. Seeking help does not make us weak - it
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