Blog by Viv Grant, Director – Integrity Coaching
On Tuesday 4th February, World Cancer Day, my new book ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark‘ will be released. It is a book I never imagined I would one day write.
A Testament to My Mum
There is an added poignancy to this book’s release. When the publication date was set, I could not have foreseen that I would be in a period of mourning. Just over six weeks ago, I lost my mum, who passed away at the remarkable age of 97.
This book is now also a testament to her and what she, in her long and extraordinary life, taught me about “Learning to Walk in the Dark.”
My mum was part of the Windrush Generation. She arrived in the UK on the 18th of March 1953—a date that holds deep significance for my family, as it is also my birthday, my husband’s birthday, and our eldest son’s birthday!
Like so many of her generation, my mum came to the UK with dreams of being welcomed by the “Mother Country.” However, her dreams were soon overshadowed by the harsh realities of a nation unwilling to fulfil its promise of parentage to those from its former colonies.
Yet, her story is one of profound courage, strength, and tenacity. She overcame countless challenges and learned to “Walk in the Dark,” often on her own, until she found the inner light to guide her—and to help others shine as well. Through her resilience, she inspired me, my two sisters, and many others whose lives she touched.
Reflecting on Her Legacy
As I grieve my mum’s passing, I find myself reflecting on the parallels between her journey and my own recent experiences of travelling through the dark. She taught me, through her life, that darkness can be a place of profound growth and transformation. This lesson has been invaluable as I have navigated my own challenges and found ways to embrace the unexpected turns of life.
An Unexpected Turn
As many already know, in the autumn of 2023, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, particularly prevalent among women of colour. The diagnosis led to a full hysterectomy and a course of radiotherapy.
During my recovery, art unexpectedly found its way into my life. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since secondary school, and I had never pursued art as a hobby. Yet, as I navigated the deep winter I found myself in, art became my way of expressing what words could not.
The Birth of Learning to Walk in the Dark
Learning to Walk in the Dark is the body of work from that period, coupled with reflections, coaching questions, and prompts. It is a deeply personal exploration of how we can embrace life’s darkest moments and find meaning, growth, and light within them.
Themes of the Dark
These recent walks in the dark—my cancer diagnosis and my mum’s passing—have caused me to reflect deeply on some of the key themes in my book:
- The dark is where growth happens: We need not fear the dark. Instead, we should embrace it and learn to abide with uncertainty and unknowing.
- The dark is where we learn to let go: This is a challenging but necessary process. Transformation requires us to release old thoughts, behaviours, beliefs, and identities. Without conscious engagement, we risk bypassing the change life is asking of us.
- The dark is an invitation to wholeness: By Wholeness I do not mean perfection. I see wholeness as the integration of neglected parts of ourselves, enabling us to show up fully and serve ourselves and others more deeply.
A Call to Embrace the Dark
Sadly, we live in a world—especially in education—where these life themes are not fully understood. Instead, there’s an overemphasis on surface-level happiness, with little regard for the deeper work of embracing life’s dark times and their call to inner transformation.
At its heart, Learning to Walk in the Dark is an invitation to see the gift of life anew, even in the midst of its trials. The dark times attune our senses to the alchemical work taking place beneath the surface of our lives.
An Offering of Light
If you or someone close to you is facing the penetrating darkness of winter, I hope Learning to Walk in the Dark, with its imagery and words, will offer warmth when the days are cold and light when the nights seem at their longest.
Pre-Orders
If this is a book that you feel would speak to you or a loved one, to find out how to pre-order all you need to do is click on this link. Learning To Walk In The Dark – Integrity Coaching
