Summary:
Understanding what works for you in times of challenge, adversity, and change in dynamics is so important. What do you do when times get tough? What is something you do for yourself to ground you and connect you back to who you are, and what do you need to do to overcome the challenge ahead?
Dan talks about his way of coping with the challenges and heartache that his family endured, was through the use of karakia. Being able to use this as a tool not only to recentre himself in the midst of adversity but also as a tool to help him connect to his ancestors, ask for love and strength for his whānau, was immensely powerful for him.
For his wife, Michelle, her coping mechanism was through writing it down. A tool they used for this was in the form of a Facebook page called He hikoi he aroha which was set up for the family to use in a therapeutic way of dealing with the situation and reflect on the journey that has been. However, He hikoi he aroha also proved to be a tool to help them connect to others that might be going through the same thing, or just to share the journey with their whānau, friends and even strangers that have joined in and rallied behind the Walkers in support of Joshie.
Everyone has different strategies and needs during times of adversity. For you it might be needing to withdraw from the space, doing a hobby or getting some fresh air! It might be karakia like Dan or it might be writing it down what has happened like Michelle. Make sure you take the time to note down or remember the strategies that work for YOU when you face adversity so that they are front of mind and ready for you to draw upon when adversity hits.