It is a frequent reflection that many guests and I share when it comes to the special people around the world that we would not have ordinarily met unless we were on this journey. Shabnam Rakhiba is one of them.
In this intimate conversation we discuss many things over Shabnam’s 2.5 decade journey with chronic pain.
Including how she moved from seeking resolve and bringing about an ending to a life lived with pain to learning to accept her physical, mental and emotional turmoil - in a way that she has now been able to alter the way she responds to pain, her body and her life as it presents itself in the now and not as she might have previously imagined or hoped it to be.
This is not only in how she relates to living with multiple conditions (though that is a big one in itself) but also in how she has been able to connect with more parts of herself on a deeper and more purposeful level.
Shabnam not only shares with us what pursuing a meaningful life means and looks like to her, she also offers gentle prompts to guide and invite you to discovering the same. Moving on to how this has opened up a greater vision around the topic of women’s ill health, empowering and guiding other women to no longer hide the pain they are living with and talking more openly about it.
Together, we cover a lot about the longer term implications of adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, what this consists of and how this can play out along the way. The role of being comfortable with being uncomfortable and also the role that values play in supporting us in our lives, enabling us to live more fully and deeply than before - even with the greatest challenges that present.
A longer conversation with many parts to it so feel free to listen to a section at a time if this better serves you today.
As always, there is room for all of you here. Please share what comes up for you below.
And remember, dear one, for you are not alone. You are one of many. And together, we will share our stories as we rise, in unity with one another. Why? Because:
Reflective prompts to explore after listening:
Who is in your life now that wouldn’t have been were it not due to health decline? What impact does this have on your sense of wellbeing?
What aspect of Shabnam’s story most inspires you?
How have you learned to adapt or soften into life with chronic pain or illness?
What does a meaningful life look like for you right now, even in the midst of difficulty? (Utilise Shabnam’s prompts to gently guide you on this)
As a result, what greater purpose are you being drawn towards?
In the first instance, I’d encourage you to journal on these prompts. At the same time, I’d also love to hear of your reflections in the comments. Meet me there?
Links
Learning Through Pain: Transformational Strategies for Healing Chronic Pain
A collection of inspiring authors with international best selling author, Natalie Pickett.
An incredible read sharing many different paths to peace, acceptance and an updated version of wellness. One that doesn’t gaslight or dismiss the reality so many millions of us around the world face.
On a personal level, I learned from every account, however, relate deeply to the path that Shabnam is carving out for herself and the vision for the future she has where it is recognised that not only is change possible, it starts with us, speaking out - hiding in the shadows no more.
Connect with Shabnam
Shabnam helps women with chronic illness reclaim their joy and purpose. Shabnam is a trauma-informed CPCAB Life Coach, Founder of Chronic Wellness Lounge, an author and disability/health advocate.
Connect with her on Linked In or via her chronic illness support group, Unapologetic Women Collective, on Facebook.
Any questions or feedback you’d like to give to her personally, why not send along an email?
shabnam@chronicwellnesslounge.com
Catch up on previous episodes
Bringing in the support with Eva Lydon
Moving beyond migraine with Lisa Bolin
Blending happiness and migraine with Erin Peterson
Tears and truths with Kerry Spalding
The deep end of the healing journey with Chanel Riggle
Overcoming Guilt & Shame with Linda X
Keto for Migraine with Angela Mohn
Hemiplegic Migraine and Stroke with Migraine Girl
Radical Healing with Sara Southgate
Living Proof: Paula’s Story of Daily Headache, Radical Acceptance & Resilience
