Over the course of my healing journey I have learnt many things. I learnt a lot of them all by myself through hard work and trial and error. I am sure other survivors out there would agree.
I learnt a lot from others and for that I thank them. All the mentors who taught me enough to know that I, alone, am responsible for my healing journey.
Don't get me wrong, four years of psycho-therapy helped a great deal. I have the utmost respect for psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, doctors and spiritual guides - all of whom have played a role in my healing journey and all of whom helped me be who I am today.
What no one taught me was practical skills. Things that you can physically do to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
I think these skills are vital and it is beyond my comprehension why they are not readily available tools for survivors or why, when offered these programmes, organisations and professionals working in this field show little to no interest in them (at least in South Africa, and at least the professionals I have dealt with).
It is sad, but true, that the simple, practical tools are often overlooked when dealing with complex problems - when it seems obvious to me that these simple skills taught correctly and practiced persistently are the backbone of any successful healing journey.
I look at other survivors who are successful at overcoming their pasts and it seems to me the common thread amongst us is the ability to find those practical skills and wittingly, or unwittingly, to adapt and use them to guide us on the way.
I guess what I am really trying to say is never over look the simple things in life - they could be the key to your success!