I watched a trailer on ABC iView about Rachel Ward, the Golden Globe-nominated star of The Thorn Birds, who gave up acting to become a grazier. What a transition! Rachel changed the narrative of acting, beauty and glamour – a world that had left her feeling empty and in a
Have you ever walked away asking yourself, “I can’t believe what they’re going through?” I have asked myself that question many times. How can someone carry such a weight? And often, it is the person you least expect. Would you agree? Years ago, I met someone over a cup of
Change: A fundamental choice. I once sat alone in a remote part of Sikkim watching a mountain rapid. It was fierce, relentless, and mesmerizing as it raced down the valley. Massive boulders stood in its way — silent, unmoving, and seemingly impossible to overcome. Those boulders became a metaphor for
What Are We Holding On To? There is a story about monkeys being trapped in parts of India using a simple box filled with nuts. The box has a small opening, just large enough for a monkey to put its hand inside and grasp the nuts. Unable to let go,
One of the saddest things someone has ever said to me was this: “I do not want to change.” I was shocked. It was confronting because, for many of us, growth and transformation are considered self-evident goods. We speak about becoming better versions of ourselves, learning from our mistakes, and
Transformation and the Butterfly I remember a biology teacher who had butterflies displayed in glass encasements. I was mesmerised. He explained the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, and one day I found a caterpillar in the school garden. I placed it in a cardboard box filled with leaves and
I believe that the word resilience can never be fully measured, captured, or domesticated. We all experience resilience differently. For some, the word evokes admiration and gratitude. For others—particularly those who are suffering or witnessing the suffering of someone they love—being told to “be resilient” can feel oppressive, judgmental, and
When AI Becomes the Therapist: What Are We Really Seeking? “I go to AI for counselling,” she told me, completely seriously. There was no irony in her voice, no hesitation. She explained that AI felt unbiased, non-judgmental—safe. It gave her answers that helped her make sense of her problems. What
Have you heard of the illusionary truth effect? It describes how our brains are wired to believe something we hear repeatedly without questioning whether it is factual. One of the most destructive myths of modern times is the statement: “Religion is the cause of all wars.” We hear it so
Turning Point: How Spiritual Emergencies Can Be Catalysts for Growth by Dr. Dom. A few years ago, a young couple went to their pastor to have their child baptized. The pastor asked them, “Take your child of sin out of this church.” The couple was distraught. They felt utterly dehumanized.