speaking_mirrors

When you were growing up, did you often get showered with gifts and presents on special occasions?

I most certainly did.

And I feel blessed that I still do.

Even though they live thousands of miles away, my parents often send us gifts, cards, and sweet treats to express how much they love us.

As a parent, I often buy little things to surprise my daughter, shower her with love, and make her feel special. She loves it.

But today after I had a moment of vulnerability responding to a rather innocuous question, I chose to sit in the discomfort of how I was feeling and gleamed that one of the most precious gifts that I can give my daughter is the gift of self-love 💌

Usual gifts- toys, 📕 books, and puzzles will help her learn everything that she needs to learn.

But as she grows older, there will be days that the learning journey she's on will feel long, lonely and scary despite her best efforts.

And I pray that when she faces those difficult days in her life, as we all do, the gift of self-love and self-compassion gives her the strength to carry on, to find her voice in a sea of sounds, and to carve her unique path to fulfilment.

It may sound obvious to you but for me, it's taken a whole lot of courage and years of deep personal work to turn a deficit into a gift that I can now share with others.

What are the most valuable gifts and lessons you have shared with your children and your loved ones?

If like me, the deficit of self-love has impacted you in ways that only you can understand, perhaps it’s time you start the journey of personal transformation.

Reach out if you need support. I have limited spaces available for personal coaching.

Safety, Choice and a Voice.

For every girl and woman in the world.

That's the mission of UN Women.

This year I am thrilled to be a delegate on the delegation on the status of women.

The theme for the delegation is Innovation and technological change, education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The the challenge of Gender Equality has several layers to it both at a structural level (often seen in organisations) as well as a societal level (cultures and norms).

Excited, curious and proud that I can share my voice and learn from gender equality advocates from all over the world.

Sometimes we ask ourselves, why do people get so offended when there is a disagreement?

Not every disagreement in life and work needs to be dysfunctional. And refusing to accept certain behaviours can be an act of self love but it is possible to communicate your needs with compassion. Drawing boundaries is not a sign of avoiding conflict, it is a sign that healthy relationships need breathing space, and that space needs to be psychologically safe for all people involved in the relationship. Boundaries are healthy!

Do you have a strong critical voice in your head that always dismisses your efforts? A voice that is uncomfortable with compliments and taking credit for your hard work? Do your loved ones think you are harsh on yourself?

Do you feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough? Do you expect way more of yourself than you expect from others?

If the answer to those questions is a yes, chances are you underestimate your potential, overlook your strengths and struggle with confidence.

I’ve been there, done all of that and finally, after receiving expert personal coaching, uncovered my unconscious beliefs and assumptions.

Now, I am actively changing my mindset one day at a time. It’s taken a deep level of self awareness to finally realise that I AM ENOUGH.

Do you have a strong critical voice in your head that always dismisses your efforts? A voice that is uncomfortable with compliments and taking credit for your hard work? Do your loved ones think you are harsh towards yourself?

Do you feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough? Do you expect way more of yourself than you expect from others?

If the answer to those questions is a yes, chances are you underestimate your potential, overlook your strengths and struggle with confidence!

I’ve been there, done all of that and finally, after receiving expert personal coaching, uncovered my unconscious beliefs and assumptions.
Now, I am actively changing my mindset one day at a time.

It’s taken a deep level of self awareness to finally realise that I AM ENOUGH.

Watching reality tv shows on relationships like The love island or Indian matchmaking make you realise how blessed you are if you have a happy deep relationship and it makes you even more proud if you and your partner give each other space to breathe in a relationship. Because it is in that sacred space that you learn to grow together and individually ♥️

It is hard, really hard when things you value start falling apart.

Relationships that are full of love need breathing space; and sometimes pulling the pieces apart and breaking them up is the only way to join up the pieces that truly matter so you can carry on onwards in your journey!

Inspired by the sea

Visited it last week with a toddler in arms, we did it even though it seemed really challenging at first, but more than the physical challenge (yes it wasn’t easy) it was the mental challenge that would have stopped us from going all the way down through a steep 143 steps!

Sometimes we assume the challenge is bigger than it is. In hindsight, lowering expectations, challenging our assumptions and releasing the stress really helped 💪so glad we did it, it was worth the effort ♥️

About the door 👇🏻

What started as cavity in a wall became this giant arch over a million years! The sea constantly battered a small hole in a limestone wall widening the hole to form a cave, then after the waves broke through the back wall of the cave eroding away the weaker rocks…the sweeping sea kept widening the cavity in the wall to eventually form the freestanding natural arch seen here!

In a world where competition with peers, colleagues, classmates and even siblings begins to become more prevalent; slowing down and looking inside yourself is the first step in cultivating the skill of compassion.
Look deep inside and decide for yourself which wolf are you going to feed?

There are days like today
When I feel like crashing down
Giving up on my career
Who cares if I am around!

Building a business
Dreaming a dream
Is it still possible?
From where I stand and see

You’ve needed so much of me today
How much more do I give?
I ask myself those questions
As I see you sleeping still

Your content little face reminds me
that my love will always grow
So even with all of me that’s gone
Perhaps there is more to grow
More compassion when you struggle,
More patience when you cry,
More warmth, more closeness
This day will go by…

It will be a new start tomorrow,
And I will build again
Your confidence and your security
And my courage to dream again

There will always be days like today
When I will feel like crashing down
But I won’t give up my baby girl
I will stick around!

Stick around to focus on my career
Stick around to chase the dream
And as you grow up my darling
You will learn what that means

It means you fight the self doubt
It means you trust yourself
It means you take your time
And learn to forgive yourself

So days like today will feel really long,
Yet through these difficult moments
We will come out strong
Your mummy will still try
She will give you more love
In turn, you give her courage
The courage to show up!