The first step in healing is to recognize there is a wound. For decades, I didn't listen to my body. I was focused on my career and like a true Capricorn, nothing would stand between me and my goals. Body ailments were just disregarded. I didn't have time to pause. I was young, full of energy, and in good health. The little warrior in me had to keep going. And I did. Piling up the traumas and carrying them with me, one after the other, not really processing any of them thoroughly. As a thinker, I would often revisit the events, and watch them in my mind as if I were looking at a movie in which MC was playing the lead. First with my readings, and later on, with the help of some Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) tools and some self-hypnosis exercises, I was more aware that I urgently needed a pause. A longer one. To focus on inner peace rather than achieving corporate successes that would look good on my resume. It took my best friend years to convince me that I didn't have the luxury to refuse myself that recess. I had started by steering away from toxic people who were coming too close in my late twenties. These were draining my energy quickly, mainly because I am an empath. But that wasn't enough.

Eventually, in November 2021, I officially kickstarted my healing process through therapies for the most fixing my physical disorder. I allotted some more time to prayer, meditation, fun, rest, and well-being. I didn't want to consult doctors in modern medicine. I had some trauma in this regard and I scouted for several months for the experts who would listen to what I had to say before pinning the current popular diagnosis on me! I am grateful to have finally stumbled upon professionals who did just that. Hence, the past 15 months have been, not only challenging but also quite intense on all levels. And so, I am now ok with sleeping an average of 5 hours a night, which was previously very rare. I do my best to be in a mindful state rather than having my mind full. This is one of the toughest exercises because my mind is always racing, even when I'm supposedly taking a break. Since December 2022, I leveled up my physical treatments and am also taking breathing and hypnotherapy sessions to recreate the lost connection between my chakras, of which more than one was blocked. Besides, I treat myself whenever I feel like it again, with things other than traveling, and this feels so good! I do more of the things I love and relax longer. This means you would find me relishing a moment with a smile on my face. As my mom repeats to me: house chores will always wait for me and be there when I returned.

Some quotes about healing:

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love - Hubert H. Humphrey

Do what is healing to your spirit and without effort you will bring the world healing in return - Alan Cohen

Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us - David Richo

Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy - Catherine Rippenger

When the power of God is present, healing and deliverance are just like breathing - T.B. Joshua

Silence is your best healer - Roxana Jones

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order - John Burroughs

I had my aha moment almost a decade ago when I realized that healing didn't mean the damage done to me was negated or forgotten, but simply that I took away its power to control my life. Everybody does mistakes. I was human after all. The core of my healing efforts needed to be directed at my soul first. Because our bodies have the great ability to patch and repair themselves and this process is multi-dimensional. I want to seize the opportunity to thank each one of you who stood by me in this journey that requires some more time still. I am blessed, thankful, and looking forward to what is coming!