Occasionally we have experiences or hear of news that really make us pause for a moment to take stock of who and where we are, and wonder about what matters most, what’s important to us, how we can make even a tiny mark in this lifetime. The last little while has offered lots of opportunities for contemplation.
The middle of last month I spent a couple of heart lifting days in Snowdonia with a group of splendid individuals all preparing to raise money for their individual charities in places like Peru, China, Everest base camp and Kilimanjaro. My hopes of meeting up with fellow participants of the Thailand Jungle Trek in November, where I will be raising funds for Breast Cancer Care, were dashed – perhaps they already knew about the wading through water with leeches and mud so thick it sucks the boots off your feet! Or maybe they just reckon that ignorance is bliss – yep! Think I agree with them – guess that’s why it’s called a Charity Challenge.
That trip was followed a couple of weeks later by my long awaited visit to Bosnia. It’s twelve years since the end of the war when TV news reports of the children in those cots, and the atrocities that afflicted the people of the area made such an indelible impression on my mind that I swore that some day, in some way I would offer help. Well it happened. Don’t mind telling you, the anticipation of the preceding few days was quite nerve racking. I became very aware of the old adage ‘Be careful what you ask for, you might get it’.
Under the auspices of Phoenix-aid I had volunteered to work with Bosnian people who wish to train in therapies to treat their fellow nationals, and also to work one to one with individuals, and with the ‘children’ of Zorvic, a donation run home for the mentally and physically disabled.
It was a week of deep joy as well as sadness and surprises – how easy it was to be part of that tiny team on this occasion. Sarajevo is stunning, and the individuals I was privileged to train, work with, and encounter were nothing short of amazing. Teaching techniques for the release of trauma to people who have suffered on such a scale and yet rarely discuss their horrific experiences was so humbling, and ensured that the workshops took on a dimension I could never have imagined - necessity is certainly the mother of invention. Heart rending moments were many, as participants let go of the feelings associated with tragic and cruel memories, yet for me, nothing was more poignant than when a whole group practiced TAT together. It was so profound that it literally took my breath away.
And what of the children? Well, in Zovic, situated amongst the hills and pine trees, every resident is referred endearingly to as a child. The cots look just the same, which is initially quite shocking to encounter, and also to realise that some of the youngsters residing in them are as old as 15 years now although it is difficult to believe as their bodies are no larger than we would imagine a six or seven year old to be. The rooms are bright, all residents are clean, loved and well cared for despite shortage of staffing – there are 4 day staff and one cook for 75 people, and just 2 night staff. To read my full report click here.
As you may guess that experience will remain vividly in my awareness for some time to come. Such was the positive impact that I’ve decided to return next spring.
Since returning to the land of normality there have been highs with further developments of our YOU experience for March next year, more about that later, and then there was the low moment when I read of the death of Anita Roddick. With so much of my attention placed squarely upon empowering individuals and realising our potential I have regarded Anita Roddick as an inspirational example of what someone can achieve especially after experiencing her presence an East Midlands Women’s Event a couple of years ago. She was feisty and tough and entertaining and generous, she had made her millions and her mark - what a difference she has made along the way. Her passing and my own recent escapades brought the awareness of how fragile is our own existence, and the importance of living in the NOW, appreciating who, where, what we are, recognising and appreciating our gifts, talents and most of all our potential to create abundance for ourselves and others.
Until next month I wish you love and laughter x Sally
Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.