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Migration therapy insights
Expert articles and tips to support your journey and understanding.
Expert articles and tips to support your journey and understanding.
Ambiguous loss
5 Minutes
Louis Massyn – Running a Life That Works Running a Life That Works, tells the extraordinary story of Louis Massyn, a South African ultramarathon runner who exemplifies Charlie Munger’s guiding principle: “Take a simple idea seriously.” For Louis, that simple idea was to run the Comrades Marathon — once. But he took it seriously. Over five decades, that one decision evolved into a life-defining journey marked by commitment, humility, and endurance. Now 74, Louis is set to become the first person to complete the Comrades Marathon 50 times, a feat that places him in a league shared by fewer than ten people worldwide across all marathon events. Through consistent effort, unwavering discipline, and an almost reverent respect for the sport, Louis transformed a modest beginning into an astonishing athletic legacy — 147,000 kilometres run, over 3,400 marathons’ worth of distance, 49 Comrades medals, and countless friendships forged on the road. Yet this is not just a story about racing. It’s about a man who chose to live with intention, showing what becomes possible when a person takes one idea seriously and never lets go. With his wife Rita as his steadfast supporter, Louis has built a life of meaning — one pair of running shoes, one race, one step at a time. As he prepares for his 50th Comrades in 2025, he runs not just for himself but for others — dedicating his race to children with special needs. His story is a quiet testament to the power of consistency, grit, and the courage to keep showing up. “The soul of the Comrades lies in those who persist, no matter their pace,” Louis says. And perhaps, the soul of a meaningful life lies in doing just that.
Relocation
17 min
Emigration is increasingly becoming a reality for South Africans. To date, research on emigration has largely focused on the economic effect and the associated loss of expertise on the country. To a lesser degree research has focused on the devastating effects of distance and the lower intimacy levels on intergenerational relationships of transnational families. The relationship as it was known has changed, face to face communication is replaced by technology-mediated communication (TMC). Using open-ended interviews, this qualitative study used a thematic analysis to explore the personal experiences of South African grandparents, as they transitioned into their role as transnational grandparents (TNGs). The theoretical framework underpinning this research was ambiguous loss. “Missing out” was a central theme identified, which featured throughout the study like a golden thread.
Relocation
4 min
I read somewhere that airports are story-making factories: people waiting to watch their loved ones walk further and further away from them until they can no longer be seen. Today is my turn... you with a backpack filled with dreams on your way to another continent and me with my memories bidding you farewell, not knowing when I will see you again. I wanted to paste a red and white "Fragile: Handle with care" sticker like a Band Aid plaster over my heart to ease the pain...
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