From Pain to Purpose - My personal journey
A brief summary of my journey so far…
1. The Ordinary World
I was born into a large family in the countryside of South Korea, surrounded by mountains, farmland, and the simplicity of nature. Our village had only eight houses, and everyone was a farmer. I don’t remember playing with toys—nature was my playground. Dirt, rocks, trees, streams, and snow became my companions. Life felt peaceful and happy, held together by the love and presence of my grandfather.
2. The Call to Adventure
Everything changed when my grandfather passed away. He was the pillar holding our family together, and without him, everything collapsed. One by one, the adults left—including my parents—leaving me and my five older siblings to fend for ourselves. Survival became our daily struggle. We lacked even the basics—food, stability, and safety. Worse than hunger was the abuse—verbal, physical, emotional, and even sexual. As my siblings moved away, I was left alone, passed from one relative to another, never truly feeling welcome anywhere.
3. The Refusal of the Call
As a teenager, I was lost. My journal was filled with desperate questions: Why am I here? What is the purpose of this life? Who am I? I had no sense of identity or belonging. The pain could have pushed me towards destruction, but instead, I found solace in church. I spent hours praying, crying, and seeking meaning beyond my suffering.
4. Meeting the Mentor
On the outside, my twenties seemed successful—I earned a master’s degree (the first in my family), built a career, and made good money. But inside, I was still broken. Relationships were my greatest struggle. Each time one ended, I fell into an emotional abyss, unable to eat, drowning myself in alcohol.
Then came the lowest point—another painful breakup, but this time with someone who cheated on me. Still, I clung to him, unable to let go. The emotional agony pushed me to the edge, and I attempted to end my own life.
Yet, something greater had other plans for me. I survived. And in the aftermath, a thought arose that changed everything:
"I can’t live like this anymore. There must be another way."
That moment became the true beginning of my healing journey.
5. Crossing the Threshold
I started searching. At first, I devoured books about relationships, trying to understand why I was stuck in the same patterns. That led me to personal development books, and then finally, to spirituality. My greatest teacher’s book opened my eyes to a truth I had never considered before:
I had to take ownership of my life.
This realization shook me. I had spent years blaming my past, my family, and my circumstances. But if I wanted freedom, I had to forgive—not just them, but myself.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Healing wasn’t easy. I had to confront deep wounds, old beliefs, and the resentment I had carried for so long. There were moments I wanted to run back to my old ways, to numb the pain instead of facing it. But each step forward gave me strength. The more I let go, the more peace I found.
I also realized I was never alone. Whether you call it God, the Universe, Higher Power, Oneness, or Love—something was guiding me all along.
7. The Ordeal
There was one final battle: embracing my past instead of resisting it. I had to stop seeing my story as something to escape from and instead recognize its purpose. Every experience, even the painful ones, had shaped me into who I was meant to become. If I removed even one piece, my journey would be different—and I wouldn’t be standing in my truth today.
8. The Reward
Through this journey, I found not only healing but my true calling. All the pain I endured became the foundation of my purpose: to help others navigate their own transformation.
I became a life coach, not just because of my studies, but because I lived this work. My experiences, once my greatest burdens, became my greatest tools for helping others break free from their own suffering.
9. The Road Back
Now, I see life with different eyes. I no longer wish my past had been different. Instead, I embrace every piece of it. What once felt like a curse turned out to be my greatest gift.
10. The Resurrection
I am not the person I used to be. The girl who once asked, “Why am I here?” now knows the answer. The woman who once felt powerless now helps others reclaim their own power.
11. The Return with the Elixir
And here I am—ready to share what I’ve learned with you.
Your story is still being written. If you don’t love your story yet, you have the power to change it.
Are you ready to create a story you love?
Let’s connect.