WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN A PLAN BLOWS UP IN YOUR FACE???
In July 2007 I made the choice to relocate to the island of Bahrain in the Middle East to pursue a business partnership with a local business man living in the country. We had met in South Africa and before I relocated I flew over to the country a few times to consolidate all our business plans. What I never anticipated was the plan blowing up in my face and landing up in prison over there for 7 days with my daughter. I have often heard of these sorts of things happening to foreigners in the Middle East, but I never dreamt in my wildest dreams that it would ever happen to me! I lost everything I had invested in the business and was deported from the country wearing only the clothes on my back. I never thought I'd ever find the strength to start all over again. But I did and I embarked on a very profound spiritual journey which has forever changed the course of my life. For the better. When I got back to South Africa in September 2007 I was traumatized and angry. I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and spiralled into a very deep depression. Somehow I found the strength to carry on and rebuild my life amidst a very damaging electronic media smear campaign created by my ex-partner.
During my recovery I was constantly arrested by lies and fabrications told by my ex-partner designed to discredit me. Initially this affected my self-esteem very badly but through in-depth counselling with a very caring person, I was able to move past the initial anger and pain and rebuild my life.
I have since found peace and learnt to let go of all the negative aspects of the situation. I decided to take out the mirror and examine myself very carefully. I did not always like what I saw in myself but I came to realize that nobody is perfect and its these flaws that make us human. Every situation, no matter how negative, is a lesson for us to learn more about ourselves as humans. I believe we always attract situations into our lives which give us the opportunities to heal and grow. The journey has not been an easy one, as I was forced to face the darker sides of my personality which I had been hiding from. Initially I lashed out in anger and blame but soon realized that holding onto such negative emotions was not helping me to heal in any way. I have since learned to own my part in the situation and let go of my anger. Time is the greatest healer of all when we focus on growing spiritually instead of living in blame and anger.
My experience has made me much stronger and I've realized who my true friends are. Fortunately I have not lost my zest for life and I don't feel that I've been irreparably scarred in any way. If anything my experience has taught me to trust my instincts and take my time in getting to know people before giving them my trust. Along the way I have met some really incredible people who continue to support my spiritual growth. New doors have opened for me in areas I never dreamt possible before now. I've learned to appreciate life and people more and above all I've learned how to count my blessings.
This is my story. I hope that sharing it with you will help you to trust your instincts more and to tread with caution when you are moving overseas to start a business in a foreign country.
Amour Elliott-Setter
Cape Town, South Africa
2009
