Alicia was sick with cancer, for the second time. She was at her lowest low. It was 3 am, and she made a decision: if she could find one person a day to talk to and effect positively, then she knew she could make it through. Level:  intermediateAccent: North American (Texas)5 words and expressions in today's story:TO PULL YOURSELF OUT OF SOMETHING means to remove oneself from a difficult or undesirable situation. It is like freeing yourself from a problem or challenge. Example: "After a difficult breakup, she had to pull herself out of the sadness and start afresh." TO STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE means to start a conversation in a friendly or informal manner, often with someone you don't know well or have just met. Example: "At the party, I struck up a conversation with a stranger who shared similar interests."  TO HEAL, TO BE HEALED, TO BE HEALING are related to the process of recovering from an injury, illness, or emotional distress. Example: "With proper care, the wound will heal in a few days."A LIFELINE refers to a person or thing that provides crucial help or support in difficult or desperate situations. Example: "During her tough times, her best friend became her lifeline, offering constant encouragement and support." A PURPOSE / A CALLING refers to a sense of meaning or direction in life, a reason for existence, or a strong conviction that drives someone to pursue specific goals or fulfill a particular role. Example: "She found her purpose in volunteering to help disadvantaged communities."Do you want to take your English to the next level? CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LEARNING MATERIALS, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPT, COMPREHENSION EXERCISES AND OTHER GOODIES! If you like Into the Story, share it now with one friend who needs help with their English. Thanks for being a part of the Into the Story community.