Diamonds are made under pressure.
When looking at successful people, one common denominator easily stands out from their list of characteristics. One word, so simple yet filled with meaning – resilience.
Resilience is what propels individuals forward, it is the ability to fall down on your knees time and time again, yet still find the strength to keep going. It is not an easy journey, but those who earn the right to use such an adjective to describe themselves are nothing short of incredible.
More easily said than done, the willpower it takes to push through pain and obstacles without knowing what tomorrow will bring is a mental state that few possess. It may seem logical, an obvious statement even, but small is the number of people that are able to put this notion in practice and come out victorious.
“I’ve walked away from an abusive relationship and suffered depression for more than 20 years. Winston Churchill said it best, though: if you’re walking through hell, keep walking. My feet are burnt and sore, but I’ve managed to make it out of my personal hell. I know that the darkest night can give rise to the brightest morning,” reminisces Fatima Alexander.
A single mom of two boys, one suffering from leukemia, she fought tooth and nail to keep her family afloat. It wasn’t easy, as she was also coping with the loss of her mom and her niece.
Year after year, the challenges never got easier.
As she approached her breaking point, she found herself suddenly invigorated with a newfound strength. How that shift happened is a mystery, but it was at that moment that everything changed.
“That evening, I was home alone – and at that moment, I think I snapped, and I took a bunch of sleeping pills in an attempt to take my own life. But I woke up the next day and I cried out to God to strengthen me for my children. It was that day that something came over me – a shift
happened, I was full of this incredible strength that kept propelling me and propelling me until I ended up in this place,” she recalls.
Turning to writing to find solace, she began her healing journey by putting her feelings on paper and never looking back. Breaking away from the shackles that held her down, she poured her energy into her notebooks.
Years later, she is now an accomplished author and a strong advocate for mental health and wellness.
“The painful, meandering path that I took has allowed me to create something for those who might be experiencing similar challenges and gives them the tools they need to break free from those strongholds and chart a more fulfilling future,” she adds.
Continuing her endeavors to provide help and support to those who may be stuck in a similar situation, she is coming out with an online lifestyle magazine called GainLoveLife Worldwide LLCTM that focuses on sharing impactful articles and resources worldwide.
To keep up with her work, visit her online magazine here.
