The journey
This ancient proverb is 100% true but often it is not the journey ahead that scares us but putting our foot out there, making ourselves vulnerable, and taking that first step. We sit around making excuses about why we can’t take that first step. We tell ourselves that we will get moving when this or that has happened, yet yearning to have the results that the end destination will bring.
Over the last couple of weeks, after many months of challenges in my personal and professional life, I reached the end of the road, and my body literally gave in. Within 4 days of each other, I was on 2 different antibiotics to fight a severe bacterial infection ravaging my body. I had been in the doctors’ rooms twice and on the second visit, I refused to be admitted to a hospital. The left side of my face was so swollen that I could hardly see out of my eye. It was then that I knew that there needed to be a change in my life and that I needed to take back ownership of my health.
But let’s back this story up a bit and let me share with you what led to this crash and burn in my life.
Where it all began
In September 2020, after spending a month running my dad up and down to the hospital to see my mom after she suffered from a stroke, she passed away. Whilst this may not seem to be a daunting activity, it certainly was a time-consuming one. It is a 30-minute drive to my dad’s place, then an hour if not more with traffic to the hospital where my mom was, and after our 30-45 minute allowed visit, I then reversed the route to take him home and get back to my family. This I did every day for 4 weeks straight whilst my mom was in the hospital.
Besides the emotional trauma of watching my mom slowly deteriorate, our digital marketing agency had started to boom. I was juggling 6 contractors for a big LinkedIn lead generation project we were driving, managing my 2 young children and their school requirements, and working at being the best wife I could be in the space I found myself. Here in South Africa, we had just come out of lockdown and Covid-19 was still ravaging the country.
The stress levels didn’t subside at the end of that month. I was tasked with the responsibility of arranging my mother’s funeral and having to be strong for my dad, who had now lost his life partner, having been married for 57 years.
The end of 2020
As 2020 ended, the LinkedIn project we were driving abruptly came to an end. Sadly, we were forced to let all but 2 of our contractors go. However, we had faith that God was in control. Not only of our personal lives but of our businesses too.
The following 2 years have been a constant struggle of juggling personal and professional challenges. I started seriously training with a personal trainer as I needed to keep myself fit and healthy to keep up with the growing demands that a mom faces with her growing kids. Add to this the responsibility that had been placed solely on my shoulders around assisting my dad with doing his weekly shopping, taking him to all the monthly doctors’ appointments, and managing all his financial affairs. Then let us not forget my fantastic husband who graciously loves me in the background of all the craziness that seemed to constantly surround me and guides, supports and assists me when many times all the balls in the air seem to be falling to the ground faster than I can juggle them.
I wish I had the time to share all the challenges we have encountered. People who have supported and prayed for us have joked that we should start a reality TV show because we would give “Days of our Lives” a run for their money.
During this time, the digital marketing business had slowed down considerably due to the lack of time to actively market the business services. A few times I considered going back into corporate just so we could have a solid, stable monthly income but each time the idea was considered, God slammed the door in my face and told me that I am right where I need to be. With limited funds available, my paid training came to an end. The continued hammering that I endured with problems being thrown in my path was having a negative effect on me, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. But through sheer grit and determination, I would put a smile on my face every day and work on putting my best foot forward.
At the end of 2022, one of the partnerships that we had established with one of our other businesses turned sour which led to the business having to contract attorneys to resolve the unfounded allegations that had been placed on our doorstep. It certainly was a very unpleasant time in our lives, but the lessons learned certainly have helped us to grow as business owners. If you are a business owner or someone who has had to take legal action against someone that you once admired and respected, it emotionally and physically drains you.
With no other option available, we pushed through December 2022, working to gain the funds to cover the legal fees incurred and having no break to renew our bodies, minds, and souls.
So 2023 started with tired bodies, minds, and souls. In February, my dad was diagnosed with Shingles. Unfortunately, the medication that was prescribed had a bad reaction with him and he landed up falling 4 times in 2 days. Thankfully, he didn’t break anything but this added to the already high-stress levels. My neck was in a constant state of spasm and I was waking up every night at 2am or 3am and could not go back to sleep. If I did sleep, it was only due to the painkillers that I was taking to help with the constant agony in my neck.
I am sure you are reading this and asking “What was I thinking?”. The truth is, I wasn’t thinking. I was in survival mode. I was grateful that I woke up each morning and could get out of bed but dreading the fires I would need to put out during the day just so I could try and survive.
And then it was 2023
So 2023 started with tired bodies, minds, and souls. In February, my dad was diagnosed with Shingles. Unfortunately, the medication that was prescribed had a bad reaction with him and he landed up falling 4 times in 2 days. Thankfully, he didn’t break anything but this added to the already high-stress levels. My neck was in a constant state of spasm and I was waking up every night at 2am or 3am and could not go back to sleep. If I did sleep, it was only due to the painkillers that I was taking to help with the constant agony in my neck.
I am sure you are reading this and asking “What was I thinking?”. The truth is, I wasn’t thinking. I was in survival mode. I was grateful that I woke up each morning and could get out of bed but dreading the fires I would need to put out during the day just so I could try and survive.
The turning point
And then March arrived and my body said “NO MORE!!” I was forced to take a hard look at where I was and the harm I was doing to myself and to those around me. I started looking around for a natural supplement that I could start taking so I could improve my physical well-being and I was fortunate to being introduced to the Anchor Health range of products.
At the time of my introduction to the range it was limited to a small handful of potent, 100% natural products which I started to take daily, working to detox my body from the toxins that had accumulated and to aid in improving my physical health.
And so started a new chapter in my personal, professional and spiritual life.