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To Lose a Friend…

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It has now been over a year since losing one of my closest, if not my closest, friend. On the 29/06/2023, I watched my friend die after being stabbed to death. I have not been the same since. Seeing somebody you truly love experience such great pain and agony in a helpless state is traumatising. It hurts more when you begin to realise that these are the last moments and that you will never see them again. They were once a part of your daily routine, and in the click of a finger, the bond comes to an end. Although I still see him as a brother, it feels like he is just somewhere that I can’t possibly reach. I was mute. I didn’t know what to do and felt it was my fault as I wasn’t able to save him. For months, I was almost mute and locked in my room. I began using worldly things as a coping mechanism, which is my biggest regret as it created an addiction. The self-disappointment mixed with grief is unpleasant. Not speaking to his mother or family much after he passed away wasn’t easy eith...
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When Dementia Becomes Reality: A Guide for Caregivers

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At first, the signs can be subtle, almost easy to ignore. You tell yourself that everyone forgets little things now and then. So when they ask the same question multiple times, you brush it off. When they lose track of where they parked or get disoriented on a familiar route, you chalk it up to distraction or age. And when they seem confused, you reassure yourself it’s just a hearing issue. But one day, the pattern becomes too clear to dismiss, and it hits you: dementia. The reality of dementia changes everything. What was once a series of isolated events becomes a journey that you’ll be facing together. It’s a commitment to love and care for them, to support them through every phase of this challenging process. Caregiving can be incredibly demanding, but it also offers a chance to make each day meaningful. Here’s how to take the first steps, recognize resources, and find support if you suspect dementia in a loved one.   1. Recognise the Signs of Dementia The early signs of dementi...
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Not Your Cup of Tea? When the Taste Just Doesn’t Match

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Ever had a cup of tea that just didn't suit you? Maybe it was too bitter or too sweet, or just didn’t hit the spot. But does that make the tea bad? Does it lose its value because you don’t enjoy it? Absolutely not. It simply means that particular tea isn’t for you. Someone else might savor it, finding depth in its flavors, while you can’t quite get a taste for it. Sometimes, you might even try that tea again. Maybe it’s highly recommended, or people say it's good for you, or it breaks up your usual routine. And yet, no matter what, it just doesn’t suit you. This feeling extends beyond the teacup; it’s the same with people. How dare I compare tea preferences to human connections? But here we are. The truth is, you could pour everything you have into a relationship: support, kindness, energy, and love. But if you’re not someone’s “cup of tea,” it won’t change the way they feel. No matter how much effort you invest, the connection you’re hoping for may never come. And that’s okay...
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Debt Driving You Crazy? Here’s a 5-Step Plan to Take Back Control

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If you feel like your debt is spiraling out of control and taking over your life, you're not alone. The constant stress of bills, interest rates, and overdue notices can make it feel like there's no way out. But here’s the good news: you can regain control, and it starts with taking a deep breath and creating a strategy to tackle your debt head-on. This post will walk you through a simple 5-step plan that can help you get back on track.   Step 1: Take Inventory of Your Debt Before you can start solving the problem, you need to know exactly what you're up against. This means gathering all your bills, statements, and account details. Write down: Total balances Interest rates Minimum payments Due dates Take a good look at everything! Seeing it all in black and white might be overwhelming, but it's the first step toward creating a plan. The goal here is to understand the full picture only then can you begin making informed decisions.   Step 2: Create a Budget to Find Extra...
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Leaning into Faith

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When life starts to feel overwhelming, it’s easy to dismiss the advice we hear over and over—“Take a breath.” We’ve heard it so many times that it starts to sound hollow, like just another platitude. But that’s where we often go wrong, underestimating the power of something so simple. Taking a breath slows us down, giving us the space to see things we might otherwise miss. With space comes clarity. Often, the answers we are searching for aren’t far from us—we’re simply too rushed or stressed to notice them. Consider this timeless bit of wisdom:  faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.  Now, a literal mind might get hung up on the image of physically moving a mountain, but if we pause and breathe, the real message becomes clear. No matter how impossible a situation feels, if we can muster even a tiny bit of faith, enough to take the first step, we start to shift the mountain before us. Belief opens the door to possibilities. Reflect on your own journey for a moment...
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Digging Deep

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You know the saying: we are the summation of our thoughts. The question is, are they really your thoughts? Bear with me for a second. The brain begins to believe whatever it’s fed. Unless you have a strong sense of self, you will start to believe the narrative others choose to paint you with. Now, this can go either way. If you are surrounded by people who speak life into you, soon you will start believing there’s some truth to it. Your actions will follow. Conversely, if you are constantly bombarded with reminders of all the things you lack or your perceived shortcomings, your light will begin to diminish. Alternatively, if your inner voice—your knowledge of self—is stronger than any external source, it will immediately reject anything that doesn’t resonate as true. The most important voice is yours. This is where digging deep comes in: silencing the noise and reconnecting with your soul. Remember the things that brought you joy, the dreams you had before life interrupted, before...
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Surviving a Bereavement

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One June 8, 2014, the glass shattered, the earth opened, my world crashed!!!  I lost my husband and father of my only child.   When you lose someone who’s been sick or ailing for a period of time it’s difficult, but losing someone suddenly, someone who was strong, energetic, active, funny, caring, loving, was earth shattering!!!! Your world stops! I remember thinking, “what happens now? What am I going to do?  How am I going to manage life without him? What about our child, who was just 7 yrs old at the time? It was tough. Talking to the police, explaining what happened, the doctor, paramedics….it was MAD!  Notifying family was HARD!!! Especially his parents!  His older daughter, brothers, everybody!!!  Bawling!!! Tears!!! Disbelief!!! Shock!!! Speechless!! And the recurring question, “What happened?” Me explaining again and again, reliving the experience over and over.  I also had to call his work and my work to notify them of my situation. ...
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