“I’m ok!”, is my standard answer. I roll my eyes and wonder, why do people keep asking me if I am ok, don’t I look ok? Leave me alone! Can’t you see, how ok I am? I am put together, I am Ms. Me. I have my stuff together, I have the house, the job and a loving relationship with a guy who loves me. I am happy, aren’t I or shouldn’t I be?

Night falls. I am all alone. Gosh, it’s so quiet. What do I do? It’s time to sleep but I don’t want to go to bed. It’s too lonely. Oh! I feel so empty, so alone. I look at the clock, it’s 9.30pm. Wisdom says it is time to wind down for the day, the weekend and start preparing for the new week. Time to check my diary and get ready for the new week, take my shower, slow down, read, meditate, pray, stretch; all those things I read in the glossy magazines, hear from my pastor, and the growing plethora of podcasts and sources of advice.

The phone rings. I look at the caller ID, it’s him. “Hey babe.” He says in his sultry voice. “It’s been a minute, why so quiet? Are you ok?” Again, that question, will everyone stop asking me that inane baseless question! I AM ok! Ok! I roll my eyes, smile and say sweetly, “All is well, sweets, good to hear from you. How have you been?” I don’t feel like all is well though, are those tears welling up? Oh, my goodness, I better not start crying. I make a lame excuse about running the bath, he tries to protest, but I cut it all short. I don’t feel like explaining. What am I even explaining, I don’t understand what is going on! I am ok, I am ok, aren’t I? Panic is rising in me. [...]

My name is Caroline. I am a lecturer at a Kenyan University. I am a born-again Christian and I fellowship at one of the mainstream churches in Nairobi.

A dear friend of mine, Nancy introduced me to the Alabastron Renewing Self Programme. Nancy described the programme as a welcoming and non-judgemental space, where my voice counted and I would be heard.

At the time, I was dealing with the trauma of having been abandoned by my husband for another woman. I just wanted someone who would listen to me, reassure me and let me know that there is nothing wrong with me. She also said that the programme would equip and help guide me back to finding myself. Additionally, the programme would help me get more firmly anchored in the word of God through its unique and interactive coaching style. [...]

When was the last time you visited a spa? Take a moment to recall that feeling of rejuvenation, renewal and refreshment. You savour the luxurious scent of the chosen fragrances used for your selected treatment. You are floating, glowing!

Getting to this feeling of weightlessness was a journey, though. You had to choose a treatment, for example, Deep Tissue Massage. As the treatment starts, there is that initial luxurious feeling as the warm oil is spread over your skin. The masseuse’s hands glide slowly over your body, reaching the warm heating oils to your extremities, to initially relax and settle you into the massage bed. You think to yourself, “aahhh!”

Somewhere, between the pleasure, the intensity subtly changes, you are not comfortable neither are you in pain. The masseuses’ hands are firm on your skin, digging a little more firmly into your muscles. A different feeling forms; one of release and relaxation. Soon these sensations envelope you, your muscles yield to the new situation. You start to settle back into the massage bed again and a peaceful smile returns to your face. [...]

  I tried to take my life. I had been admitted in hospital for several months in a coma. I had lived a traumatic life till then, mistreated and abandoned by my mother and many other dark experiences made me give up on life. I resolved to end it all. What I hadn't realized at the time, was that I had been dead long before then.

My name is Jane (not her real name). I am based in Switzerland. I learned about the Alabastron RS Programme, through my Kenya-based cousin. She had found the programme invaluable and in introducing me to the Programme, she gave me a precious unforgettable gift.

I started the programme after leaving hospital where I had been admitted for several months in a coma. I had lived a traumatic life till then, mistreated and abandoned by my mother and many other dark experiences made me give up on life. I resolved to end it all. So, I tried to take my life. What I did not realise at the time, was that I had been dead long before then.

I joined the Renewing Self Programme because I realised after waking out of the coma, that I was not the master of my destiny, in contrast to what I thought. I realised that a power far greater than I was watching over me and that I had been ignoring this greater power for years. Waking out of the coma reminded me about this higher power's existence. [...]

Life throws many things at everyone. Sometimes you are in rhythm with life like a river accurately meandering on its riverbanks. Other times you are barely grasping for air as you drown. It is during these moments that we can easily get engulfed into the motions. Anger is one of the most common emotions we feel intensely. This is because we feel that we lack of control on everything; not knowing what to look forward to. Thereby, anger can easily become a norm.

How then should a woman facing life's unpredictable situations without holding on to anger? Patricia shared how she has embraced peace and returned back to her rightful position in her life below.

I came to know about Alabastron through Facebook. At the time, I was in a bad shape emotionally. I was totally drained and my life had no purpose. I was living life dead! I scrolled through the comments on the post and I knew this is a place I want to be .I attended the open day and I made a decision to join the Renewing Self Program. The best decision I ever made in my life.

I was angry at life. I had failed relationships, betrayed by people I thought were my friends, and to top it up I had a failed business through a trusted employee. This made me bitter and resentful. I picked fights with everyone. I resulted to neglecting myself because I felt I didn't deserve anything or anyone worthy in my life. I ended up an alcoholic. [...]