Coming Alongside

A life-defining moment happened for me back in 2011 when life as I knew changed and I found myself at a crossroad of a broken dream. I don’t know if you can relate to the feeling of having the wind knocked out of you and all you can do is get through another day with the limited strength that you can muster up. In that difficult place I knew I had two choices the first one was to be hard on myself, give up and just exist or the second was to be kind to myself, wipe the dirt off my knees and have a go at rebuilding my life.

The thing I learnt about rebuilding is I was left with the rubble of the past and in order for me to rebuild I had to clear the ground first otherwise I would be building on a foundation that wouldn’t be able to sustain the new. I wish I could say it was a glamourous experience in fact it was everything but that. It was a time of great loss on so many levels but in that loss, I learnt lessons I never thought existed. A lesson being that life is not meant to be navigated in isolation and strength can be found in the presence of others.

Stories hold tremendous power because in them we can catch a glimpse of a person’s life experience and vulnerability. We are reminded of our own story and that even though different but at the same time perhaps similar. Somethings in life are universal such as pain, loss, grief, joy and love to name a few. In a story, we can find the strength we need to take another step forward even when we feel we are at the end of ourselves and want to give up. We can find inspiration to have a go or to even let go of things that we know are not good for us.

Our stories are great teachers where we gain precious insights and wisdom that not only befits us but also those who cross our paths. Maybe we can’t see this while we are still writing particular chapters but when we look back, we can’t help but think wow we are survivors despite the scars we might bare! I truly believe that coming alongside others is one of life’s most precious gifts that one can give and receive. It’s knowing that you are not alone in the world and you really do matter. Until next time. C

“Coming alongside others is one of life’s most precious gifts that one can give and receive.”