I first heard of it on an episode of the good doctor. It sounded like a fable at first so i did some google search to find out what it was.
Apparently its a thing that happens. Yes it is rare, but it happens a lot more times than we think.
I thought I would wait to write about this later in the year, but I just recently met someone who actually experienced it. It was gut wrenching to listen to this fine woman tell her story.
The story of how she had a heart attack because her friend of 27yrs passed suddenly. At first, having a Nigerian upbringing, the first thing that popped into my mind was... "Village people".. someone is using juju on her...
But then when she told me her story, I gradually realized that grief can actually affect the body so much that the heart can fail to function for a while as a result.
I have heard of stories of people who suddenly slumped and died as soon as they got the news of the passing of a loved one. But never has it resonated so closely...
This woman woke up like any other day to do the things she loved to do, or maybe just enjoy a day in the sun... Unknown to her, she was going to spend her day in the hospital.
Her friend whom she loved and cherished had died in her sleep. There was no explanation, just that she slept and never woke up.
Devastated, her body could barely handle the strain of the news and before she knew it, she was being admitted to the hospital for a heart attack.
That was when her life changed completely.
Bottom Line.
This story made me realize that resilience is a skill that is valuable for the mind and body. I'm not saying people should not feel, or be emotional, I am saying, one can be emotional without becoming an emotional wreck-thats where resilience is needed.
Learning to be resilient isnt just about weathering a bully, and no one should have to be bullied. Resiliency is about ensuring that you have the necessary tools to keep going despite the thing life would throw at you.
It is making sure that when it rains you have an umbrella to shade you, even if your feet may still get wet.
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