WELCOME TO WISE WEDNESDAYS

Sometimes we do things for a clear reason. And sometimes it’s an intuition. Sitting across from me, the librarian commented on how lucky I was to be able to borrow the dusty leather-bound book she was processing. I said I liked old books and mentioned that the borrowing date above mine was from 1965. She looked up, wide-eyed, and said: that’s my year of birth.  I smiled as I leafed through and pulled out a little leaflet from 1953 celebrating St. Gertrude. I gave it to her an

Many years ago, a mentor told me that I’d always have opportunities. He explained that if a boss wanted something done, they’d want an ‘exotic, hard working woman’ because we were seen to have the right work ethic… I had mixed feelings but I knew he meant it positively. Recently, I came across a concept related to this: the Model Minority Myth. It was coined to described the stereotype of the hard-working American Asian. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being perceived a

If you’re the most interesting person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. That’s what my coach would say back in the day. And it occurred to me that this could apply to any quality: If you’re the most caring person in the room… If you’re the most self-aware… You’re in the wrong room. Why? Because you also need care. And you also need to expand your awareness. Etc. It’s like why hairdressers don’t do their own hair: they can’t see the back of their head. In other words, you

Once upon a time at medical school, I was in a James Bond pantomime. The audience would shout “shaken, not stirred!” when Bond said...

There’s nothing to prove.  Like the Wounded Healer, the Wounded Achiever experienced a fracture in their being. They didn’t feel safe or...

I didn’t understand the book at the time. Perhaps I was too young, as a teenager. But I’ve been thinking about The Unbearable Lightness...

Liberation is often confused with political activism or spiritual ecstasy. At The Sanctuary, we work with something simpler and more...

In a world where it’s easy to outsource thinking - via social media, news, politics - many meetings drift without depth. Why? Because...

Ever said to yourself: I’ll do X, when I have Y (e.g. I’ll do that thing that’s important to me when I have more...

I was starting to doubt my decision and think it might be wiser to give up. That morning, it seemed like a great idea to walk the 20km or...

When crisis hits, whether global, political, or personal, I’ve noticed a familiar urge in myself: to lie low and ride it out quietly....

Earlier this month, a member of The Sanctuary: Deep Roots, High Wings  made a radical move in her leadership role that she had been...

This week: a simple but powerful 5-step framework (GRASO) to support trauma-sensitive conversations in the workplace. For leaders,...

Although I’m a doctor by background, I’ve never primarily relied on trauma-related frameworks. However, with the increasing levels of...

The only certainty is uncertainty. And even that is uncertain… So how do you make decisions? Option 1: Make predictions Option 2: Freeze...

It wasn’t enough to know about the devastating floods, droughts, and landslides in the Pokhara region of Nepal—we also had to experience...

We started the sanctuary session last week with one of the most famous verses in history. And thus the native hue of resolution Is...

I couldn’t help but feel a chill down my spine. Still no interest in going trekking but I offered a relational Deep Dive for my...

“Things have improved so much in Tibet!” enthused our hotel manager who has been looking after our co-living and co-working group. “The...

[Reflections from Nepal] "Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?", asked the journalist. “Because it’s there!”, answered George Mallory...