Written by Patricia Kaulmann, Specialist for Biological Emotional Balance Patricia Kaulmann supports the balance between body and mind. She published the book "My Little Big Transformation" in Portuguese and German in 2024 and is a co-developer of HTGMusic, a supportive, energetic method with sound/frequencies. In today's digital world, more and more is becoming automated. Where is the human element? These are legitimate questions. Many are delighted by the increasing number of tools being developed. Others fear being replaced. All these concerns are justified. A world where even machines learn to develop love. A world where many people forget how love can grow within themselves. My hope? That love and technology will coexist, making life easier for everyone. Where is spirituality? It has always been there. What do you believe in? Whom do you trust blindly? One hundred percent? I'm talking about faith and trust. In some countries, spirituality is a subject in medical school, for example, in Brazil. And this has absolutely nothing to do with religion. It's about understanding the unexplained events, which we can now attribute to God's power. The power that created everything. That connection that Jesus wanted to make clear. This power is already within us. What have scientists discovered in their studies? That faith directly influences healing. Examples: Newberg (2018) states that faith activates the regulation of emotions. One becomes calmer, has clarity, and experiences less anxiety and tension. Next, and quite logically, faith reduces cortisol, thereby reducing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, and facilitating better recovery.[1] A fact I personally confirm, faith alters the perception of pain. It activates natural pathways to reduce pain. It modulates the thalamus, thus improving pain tolerance.[2] Bosworth (2006) wrote that people with faith cooperate better in treatment and experience less depression or anxiety. They are emotionally stronger. Can it really be that simple? To be precise, the more you believe in something and trust it, God or whatever you like, the better your body, the machine, responds. Oh yes, our emotions and thoughts, or vice versa, trigger chemical processes in the brain, and bam, they spread throughout the entire body. The well-known Bruce Lipton has already said this. Emotions change your DNA, for better or for worse. It all depends on how you perceive it. According to Dr. Sérgio Felipe de Oliveira, all cells first register the radio frequency, and then the biochemical processes occur locally. So energy takes the first step. More precisely, the frequency that transforms your thoughts into emotions and triggers everything. What about the mind? In reality, your conscious mind retrieves the most important memories from your subconscious, relating to the present moment. This then amplifies your current emotions. So, you either experience more fear or panic about something, or you enjoy it intensely. The conscious mind is not you. The conscious mind is merely an "employee" of your system. The subconscious mind is software. It's already programmed. You've essentially had all these programs installed for you from conception until the age of seven. And I'm not even mentioning what you've inherited. This brings us to beliefs. Beliefs are the things that have been instilled in you and make you believe they are correct. They're "installed" by someone else. Essentially, they're software. You only become active in this process when you recognize them as "errors," if there are any. From that moment on, you determine, if you so choose, where things go from here. As Carl Jung said, "He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside, awakens." Do we have a physical connection with spirituality? In fact, the pineal gland is linked to this. The key between science and spirituality. Our Wi-Fi, so to speak. The gland that connects us to the moon and sun, light and darkness, the power of nature. Nature is spirituality itself. Our bodies, so to speak, are nature. We are far more than our DNA. We have many more bacteria, viruses, and fungi that keep us alive. Yes, exactly. Anyone who thinks these "entities" are only harmful is sorely mistaken. We ourselves are an ecosystem. Our consciousness is connected to the field There is a vast field where everything already exists. Quantum physics calls it the field. The Gospel calls it the Holy Spirit. Whatever you choose to call it, you are connected. You have direct, free communication. You can both send and receive. So use it gratefully and consciously. If you perceive a negative frequency, ask yourself, "What can I do differently?" or "What would Jesus do in my place?" This is not a joke. This is conscious thinking, analysis, and action. Jesus always asked, "Do you want to be healed?" And then he said, "Your faith has healed you." Do you see what I mean? It was always your decision and trust that made it happen. We already have everything within us. I wish many would learn to see it. "While everything is in the universe, it is also true that the universe is in everything. Whoever understands this truth has attained great knowledge." – The Kybalion Follow me on Facebook , Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Patricia Kaulmann Patricia Kaulmann, Specialist for Biological Emotional Balance Patricia Kaulmann helps people understand how they can activate their self-healing through their thoughts and emotions and how they can get rid of blockages and beliefs through emotional intelligence and energetically supported frequencies. The right mindset plays a major role in healing. For this, it is essential to understand your own body embryologically, biologically, and emotionally. This is where Patricia brings in her expertise. Everyone should have access to this information and be able to live happily. References: [1] (König, 2012) [2] (Wiech, 2016)

Written by Hendrien van der Bijl, Imago Relationship Therapist Hendrien is an Imago Relationship Therapist and founder of Start Right, helping couples rebuild connection, communicate with compassion, and live their relationships with greater passion and purpose. There’s a quiet expectation that lives beneath the title “marriage counsellor.” It whispers things like, you should have the perfect marriage, you should know exactly what to do, you should be the expert in relationships at all times. And sometimes, when I sit across from couples who have been married longer than I have been alive, I can feel their eyes soften into a question they’re too polite to ask, "What could she possibly know?" For years, that question lived inside me too. It tugged at me in moments when my own relationship felt messy, human, or imperfect. It echoed when people asked for my advice and looked confused when I admitted, honestly, that I don’t always have the answers. Even my husband, with a teasing smile, asks why I don’t always follow the very advice I give other couples. And for a long time, I wrestled with that. I didn’t want to pretend. I didn’t want to be a fraud. But I also didn’t want to chase some impossible version of perfection that no real human being can sustain. This article is the story of how I found peace in that tension, and how embracing my humanness made me better at helping couples reconnect, soften, and become more fully themselves. The myth of the “perfect expert” There’s a cultural assumption that qualifications create wisdom, that degrees guarantee maturity, that experience must follow a linear timeline. But relationships don’t work in straight lines, and neither does life. There are phases and developmental layers we all pass through. And yes, someone older may have lived through stages I haven’t reached yet. That doesn’t make their story more valid than mine, it simply makes it different. Our age or family structure doesn’t determine how deeply we can understand human connection. What determines it is how willing we are to feel, to notice, to reflect, and to grow. Sometimes, people expect a counsellor to be the finished product. But I am also living for the first time, learning, breaking open, healing, and rediscovering myself every day. Understanding that has allowed me to stop striving for perfection and start embodying presence. If you’re curious how this shows up in others too, I recommend reading the Brainz article on understanding the signs of imposter syndrome . Why relationship work isn’t about being an “expert” Every couple carries a completely unique landscape. Two individuals, both shaped by childhood, culture, trauma, adaptation, family lines, personal narratives, and unconscious patterns, and then, when you add the lens of Imago Relationship Therapy , you also see why people attract partners who mirror their early wounds and deepest longings. This is why no counsellor can claim to be an expert on another person’s marriage. Not really. I don’t sit with just your story. I sit with your story, your partner’s story, the stories that came before you, and the ones that will ripple out after you. It’s intertwined, layered, and beautifully complex. Some relationships crack under the weight of family boundaries. Others bend under parenting stress, illness, financial strain, addiction, betrayal, or the silent accumulation of small hurts. And even when couples face similar challenges, they rarely experience them at the same time or in the same way. So what makes me qualified to teach? Not perfection. Not certainty. Not expertise in the conventional sense. But something deeper. What I actually bring into the therapy room I don’t see myself as an expert in relationships. I see myself as someone who has tasted what it feels like to be fully alive, emotionally safe, deeply connected, spiritually attuned, and who knows the path back to that aliveness. I have felt it as a child, floating underwater just to hear the truth of my own inner voice. I felt it when my great-grandmother visited me in dreams before she passed, showing me connection exists beyond the visible world. I felt it when my father held me in the ocean’s deep end, the thrill of danger wrapped in the safety of his arms. I felt it when my husband built pillow forts when we were dating, where time dissolved and presence felt effortless. I felt it when my children were born and the room turned sacred. These memories became my compass long before I studied any theory. The real work: Helping people become more fully themselves Harville Hendrix teaches that we are all born fully alive, whole, expressive, open, connected. And then life happens. Through pain, trauma, expectations, and adaptation, parts of us get pushed underground. The hidden parts carry the pain. And the journey of healing is to reclaim them until you become more you than ever before. My work is not to teach you the right way to “do” relationship. It’s to help you become yourself again, fully, courageously, honestly. Because when two people reconnect with their essence, the relationship becomes lighter, easier, and more naturally loving. Two half-versions of themselves will struggle. Two alive people can create something extraordinary. What transformation looks like in real life I have watched men walk into my office resentful, withdrawn, stiff, and skeptical. Men who were certain that talking wouldn’t change anything. And then, slowly, with structure and safety, something softens. They look up. They touch differently. Their hearts open in ways they didn’t think possible. I have watched women who want to run away finally breathe because their pattern of over-adaptation is seen, named, and held with compassion. They stop fleeing. They start staying with themselves. They start seeing their partner as an ally, not an enemy. I have watched older couples, married 40 years or more, look at each other with new eyes, as if meeting for the first time. It is never too late to rediscover your essence. These moments are not accidental. They come from creating the right kind of space, one where safety allows people to return home to themselves. Why feeling like a fraud made me a better therapist I now understand that my self-doubt wasn’t a sign that I didn’t belong in this field. It was a reminder that I am human. Humanness is not the obstacle in this work. It is the requirement for it. Because I don’t stand above my clients, I stand with them. I don’t teach from perfection. I teach from presence. I don’t guide from certainty. I guide from curiosity, humility, and deep respect for the human heart. I don’t want to be the expert. I want to be the person who helps you walk back to yourself. Start your journey back to yourself You don’t need a perfect relationship to begin this work. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You only need a willingness to rediscover who you really are and bring that aliveness into your relationship. If you’re ready to experience what emotional safety, presence, and connection can feel like in your own life, I would love to guide you. You can explore Imago, experience the structure, and start creating connections on purpose, not by accident. Visit my website to book a session or learn more about my 3-Day Intensive Course for the ultimate Relationship Transformation. Let’s begin the journey back to who you truly are. Follow me on Facebook , and Instagram for more info! Read more from Hendrien van der Bijl Hendrien van der Bijl, Imago Relationship Therapist Hendrien is an Imago Relationship Therapist and the founder of Start Right, a practice dedicated to helping couples rebuild connection and communicate with greater compassion. She specializes in guiding partners through conflict patterns, emotional disconnection, and the deeper dynamics that shape intimate relationships. Her work blends clinical training with practical, heart-centered tools that make healing accessible and real. Through her courses, sessions, and writing, she teaches couples how to understand each other with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Hendrien’s mission is simple: to help people live their relationships with intention, presence, and passion.

Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine and internationally recognized spiritual teacher Shakti Bottazzi announces the upcoming launch of her new talk show, The Soul Wisdom Project, airing on the Transformation Talk Network beginning December 16, 2025.   Blending ancient wisdom with grounded embodiment, The Soul Wisdom Project invites listeners to remember the Living Blueprint of the Soul and bring higher consciousness into practical, everyday living. The show distills Shakti’s signature blend of soul-led guidance and energetic mastery into a field of remembrance where listeners reconnect with their inner knowing, return to sovereignty, and align their lives with the truth of who they came here to be. Bottazzi describes the show as “a space where ancient remembrance becomes practical guidance, where listeners receive insight they can apply immediately in their relationships, work, purpose, and daily life.” Each episode explores themes such as authenticity, embodied spirituality, nervous system resilience, multidimensional remembrance, karmic patterns, and how to integrate awakening into a rapidly changing world. The show is rooted in Shakti’s signature blend of ancestral wisdom, Lemurian remembrance, multidimensional teachings, trauma-informed awareness, and practical embodiment tools drawn from her four decades of spiritual and personal development work. Listeners will have the opportunity to: Learn how to live their soul’s design in real time Discern intuition from conditioning Navigate change with clarity and inner stability Reclaim their authentic voice Bring spiritual insight down into the body and into action The Soul Wisdom Project will air on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET, with replays available through the show website, the Transformation Talk Network platform, and Shakti’s own channels. Bottazzi’s work has touched people in more than 25 countries. She is known for her rare ability to bridge ancient spiritual traditions, cosmic wisdom, and real-world coaching, helping individuals access their highest potential through embodied awakening. How to follow Shakti and the show Soul Wisdom Project Website YouTube Channel Shakti’s Main Website Books by Shakti Amazon Author Page Instagram Email Brainz Magazine Author Page About Shakti Bottazzi Shakti Bottazzi is a spiritual teacher, galactic shaman, and international coach known for guiding individuals into deep soul remembrance and embodied mastery. Founder of The Awaken Path, she integrates Human Design, astrology, ancient traditions, multidimensional healing, and channeled wisdom into a body of work that empowers others to live their authentic essence. She is also the author of Remembering Her: A Soul Embodiment Journey and a respected Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine.

Written by Isabelle Veser, Music Producer I'm Isabelle Veser, a French-German-Greek EDM producer, singer, and songwriter based in Cologne. I've collaborated with international artists like Luca Testa, Van Snyder, Millean, and Burak Yeter. After performing at Canadian Music Week and Rotterdam School Festival, I'm excited to bring my music to the U.S. this year. In the world of electronic dance music, perfection is not a fixed destination but a dynamic pursuit, a process of refining emotion, shaping sound, and sculpting energy. For today’s generation of producers, many of whom are self-taught and fueled by curiosity rather than conservatory training, the studio is more than a workspace. It is a living ecosystem of ideas, spontaneity, and experimentation. As an autodidactic EDM producer who plays keyboard and works across GarageBand and Ableton, you stand at the intersection of musicianship and digital craftsmanship. You translate instinct into waveforms, emotion into arrangements, and raw imagination into immersive sonic landscapes. But what does it really take to create a track that feels perfect? And how does one elevate a simple musical idea into a festival-ready anthem? The spark: Emotion before execution Every unforgettable song starts with a feeling, not a chord, a sound, or a preset. Long before a melody is recorded or a drum loop is built, there is an instinctual urge to express something. Sometimes it is the pulse of excitement after a live show. Sometimes it is a memory, a tension, a longing, or a sudden flash of inspiration. For producers who play instruments, the keyboard becomes an extension of that emotional impulse. Improvising freely allows raw feeling to crystallize into harmony and melody. In an era of endless samples and presets, emotion remains the one ingredient that cannot be bought or borrowed. Melodic identity: The hook as the heart In EDM, the hook is the gravitational center of the entire track. It is the melody that lingers long after the speakers go quiet. Creating such a hook requires both simplicity and bravery. As a self-taught producer, your instincts become your superpower. Without rigid rules, your melodic decisions are naturally personal and unfiltered. Record improvisations, explore variations, and let spontaneity guide you. The hook is not something you write. It is something you uncover. The architecture of energy A perfect EDM track is engineered to move people. While creativity should always be unrestricted, structure provides the backbone that supports the track’s evolution. The classic structure of intro, build-up, drop, breakdown, and finale mirrors human emotional rhythm. Great producers do not just write music. They engineer emotional arcs. Sound design: Crafting a sonic fingerprint Once the musical blueprint is set, sound design shapes the identity of the track. Working in Ableton offers deep synthesis and modulation possibilities, while GarageBand gives fast access to intuitive sound creation. Layering, automating, shaping transients, and sculpting frequencies all contribute to a sound that feels alive. Sound design is where imagination meets technique, and where originality is born. Rhythm and groove Even the most beautiful melody can fall flat if it does not sit in a compelling groove. Rhythm is the physical language of EDM. It commands movement and anchors the track. Punchy kicks, tight basslines, swinging hi-hats, and evolving percussion create the heartbeat that drives the experience. Mixing: Where emotion meets engineering Mixing transforms raw creativity into clarity and power. Frequency balance, spatial placement, dynamic control, and contrast all play crucial roles. A strong mix allows each element to shine without overwhelming the listener. The final step: Recognizing perfection A perfect song does not emerge from endless tweaking. It emerges when its emotional message is fully realized. You know a track is finished when the arrangement flows naturally, the hook speaks clearly, and you can listen without wanting to change anything. The modern producer’s advantage Today’s autodidactic producer has unprecedented freedom. With a keyboard, a laptop, and curiosity, you hold the tools to create something deeply personal and globally resonant. Every session becomes a step in mastering your unique voice. The perfect song is not a formula. It is a fusion of instinct, emotion, craftsmanship, and play, the moment when authenticity becomes sound. Follow me on Instagram ,  and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Isabelle Veser Isabelle Veser, Music Producer Isabelle Veser has been passionate about making music since childhood. Determined to prove that women can succeed in the male-dominated EDM scene, she began producing, composing, and singing her own tracks in 2022. Her style blends Mainstage, Big Room, and Techno, though she enjoys working across all genres. With discipline and perseverance, she has built a growing career in music. She now helps other artists develop their own sound and navigate the industry.

Written by Alex Vitillo , Money Breakthrough Business Coach Alex Vitillo is a Leading Shamanic Priestess of Wealth and Well-being, also known as the Money Breakthrough Coach for spiritual entrepreneurs. She helps heart-centred business owners heal their relationship with money so they can serve from overflow rather than depletion. There is a sentence I hear again and again in the spiritual and heart-centred world, “I am not motivated by money. I am here for the healing, the purpose, the impact.” It sounds noble, pure, above the material world. Yet beneath that elegance, something far more uncomfortable is often hiding. Your soul is not allergic to wealth. Your ego just likes to sound enlightened. Your soul knows that wealth is simply energy. Your soul knows that money amplifies impact. Your soul knows that abundance expands your mission, your reach and your ease. It is the ego that whispers, “Careful, wanting money is greedy. Let us appear humble and evolved instead.” That is not enlightenment. That is spiritual posturing disguised as purity. And the cost of it is high. You end up: Working too many hours Overgiving in every direction Underearning, even with real talent Feeling stressed and stretched Slipping into quiet resentment Staying strangely invisible in your market All while wondering why life feels heavier than it needs to be. Meanwhile, your soul taps its foot: “Darling, I have sent you ideas, clients, invitations, synchronicities. When exactly are you planning to receive them?” When the ego puts on a halo Let us name the inner dialogue for what it is. Ego says, “I do not need much.” Soul says, “Then why do you write about your dream retreat home by the sea every night?” Ego says, “I am not doing this for the money.” Soul says, “You charge for your services, and you should. You also secretly wish you were charging more.” Ego says, “I will invest when I am ready.” Soul says, “You have been ready for months. You are not waiting for readiness, you are avoiding expansion.” Ego says, “I just want to help people.” Soul says, “Exactly. Helping people requires energy, time, boundaries, and, yes, money.” Ego says, “Wanting wealth is not spiritual.” Soul laughs gently and replies, “Why would I create an abundant universe then shame you for wanting abundance?” This is the quiet game that plays out in the minds of spiritual entrepreneurs, healers, therapists, coaches, and change-makers every day. They are powerful, intuitive, and devoted, yet their bank account does not reflect the level of impact they are capable of. Impact requires income I say this as someone who spent years in the financial world in London before devoting my work to money energetics and business strategy for heart-centred leaders. I have seen the numbers, and I have held the tears. One truth never changes: The impact requires income, purpose requires resources, and service requires sustainability. No one builds a movement, funds a foundation, raises conscious children, or lives a red-carpet lifestyle on thin air and pretty quotes. Even monasteries, temples, and spiritual centres have patrons, donors, and financial structures. The devotion is spiritual. The logistics are unapologetically practical. If you are trying to build a legacy on top of avoidance, self-sacrifice, and chronic undercharging, you are not being more spiritual. You are simply exhausting your nervous system. The real reason money feels uncomfortable. Many of my clients arrive with a list of desires that looks something like this: A beautiful, nurturing home Spaciousness in their calendar A thriving, soul-led business Time freedom for travel, creativity, and family Overflow instead of feast-to-famine cycles Impact that reaches hundreds or thousands A life that finally feels congruent with who they really are Then, in the next breath, they declare, “I am above money.” They are not above money. They are avoiding money because money is confronting. Money asks for: Honest pricing Honest boundaries Honest desires Honest receiving Honest self-worth Honest responsibility Money exposes the exact places where you shrink. It shines a light on the gap between who you are today and who you are meant to become. That is why the ego resists wealth so fiercely. Not because money is unspiritual, but because money is too honest. What your soul actually wants Your soul is not impressed by financial martyrdom. Your soul is impressed by alignment, integrity, generosity, overflow, and leadership. Your soul wants you: Resourced, not depleted Supported, not constantly coping Nourished, not living on scraps of time and energy Visible, not hiding behind “it is not about the money” Abundance is not the opposite of spirituality. Abundance is spirituality expressed. When you allow yourself to receive more, you give more, you serve more, you heal more, you employ more, and you model what is possible for your clients, your children, and your community. You become the living proof that wealth and integrity can walk hand in hand. Three shifts to heal your allergy to wealth If you recognise yourself in this, you are not broken. You are simply running an old pattern that no longer matches who you are becoming. Here are three powerful shifts to begin resetting your relationship with money. 1. Replace “I am not motivated by money” with a deeper truth Try this instead: “I am deeply motivated by impact, and I understand that income expands my capacity to create it.” Notice how that lands in your body. It honours your heart and your mission while telling the truth about the role of money in sustaining both. 2. Let your prices reflect your leadership, not your fears Most spiritual entrepreneurs do not undercharge because their work is worth less. They undercharge because: They fear rejection if they raise their fees They are afraid that bigger numbers will demand a bigger version of themselves They are secretly worried that they cannot replicate their results Your pricing is a mirror. It reflects whether you are willing to stand unapologetically in your values. If you feel a pull to increase your prices, treat that as guidance, not greed. Calibrate your containers, your boundaries, and your support so that your pricing feels both clean and courageous. 3. Stop trying to heal money alone You would not advise your own clients to transform their deepest patterns in isolation. You would remind them of the value of mentorship, energy work, strategy, and community. The same applies to you. At a certain stage in business, free content and casual journaling are no longer enough. You are not missing information. You are ready for activation, structure, and consistent support. This is the point at which my clients arrive. They are already talented, already qualified, already serving. They are simply ready to stop pretending that scraping by is somehow holy. A personal note to the spiritual change-maker If you are reading this with a lump in your throat, take a breath. You are not bad with money. You are not greedy for wanting more. You are not a fraud because you desire both impact and income. You are a multidimensional human being whose soul chose to incarnate in a world where rent, school fees, plane tickets, retreats, technology, and nourishing food all require money. You are allowed to want: A thriving business that pays you beautifully Work that lights you up instead of draining you Clients who respect your boundaries and your fees A lifestyle that feels like the inside of your vision board Not as a guilty secret, but as a natural extension of who you are. If this is you, I can help. My work is devoted to this exact edge, where purpose, profit, and spiritual power meet. As a former finance professional turned Money Breakthrough Coach and Shamanic Priestess of Wealth and Wellbeing, I support heart-centred entrepreneurs to align their energy, their pricing, and their business model so they can earn premium income without abandoning their values. Together we: Unravel the ego’s enlightened stories about money Rewrite your wealth identity at a soul level Design premium offers and pricing that feel ethical, exciting, and sustainable Create a pathway to consistent income that supports the impact you are here to make If you feel called to release your allergy to wealth and step into a more resourced, visible, and prosperous version of your mission, reach out. Not someday. Not when you feel more ready. Your soul is already ready. It has been for a long time. Honour your soul. Smile at your ego. Choose the path that leads to expansion, not avoidance. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Alex Vitillo Alex Vitillo, Money Breakthrough Business Coach Alex Vitillo, the Leading Shamanic Priestess of Wealth & Wellbeing, bridges the material and mystical worlds to help visionaries and heart-centered entrepreneurs unlock their financial potential. With over 15 years in Finance and a deep journey into energy healing after personal loss, she created a powerful methodology blending financial strategy with spiritual alignment. As an expert in Sacred Money Archetypes, Alex guides clients to achieve abundance with ease and purpose. Her mantra, “Grow Yourself, Grow Your Business," embodies her mission to shape soulful, impactful, and rich leaders. A published author and international speaker, Alex shares her insights on wealth, wellbeing, and conscious leadership worldwide.

Written by Justin Edgar, Coach Justin Edgar is a life and breathwork coach and creator of The Art of Creative Flow, blending entrepreneurship, education, and mindful somatic practice to help individuals, leaders, and teams move beyond struggle and burnout to reconnect with clarity, vitality, and purpose. We often speak of the Founding Fathers as if they were carved fully formed from marble, paragons of virtue, united in purpose, pure of intention. But history, when viewed without the haze of nostalgia, tells a far more human story. Yes, the Declaration of Independence is an extraordinary document. Yes, the Constitution carries undeniable genius. But the men who authored them? They were as conflicted, self-interested, and politically opportunistic as many we see in public life today. Some among them, Benjamin Franklin, perhaps John Adams, lived closer to the spirit of the ideas they penned. Franklin was a philosopher of uncommon breadth, a genuine lover of wisdom, and one of the clearest moral thinkers of his age. Adams, though blunt and often unpopular, was fiercely principled and remarkably resistant to the temptations of power. Others were more complicated. George Washington, though deeply enmeshed in elite privilege and compromised by enslaving others, also relinquished power voluntarily, something almost unheard of in his time. Thomas Jefferson, brilliant and visionary, espoused equality while substantially benefiting from systems that denied it. Alexander Hamilton, for all his brilliance in establishing the financial system, believed unapologetically in strong central institutions that would favour stability, and inevitably, the interests of those already in positions of influence. John Jay likewise viewed political power as something to be entrusted primarily to property holders. None of this makes them villains. It simply makes them human. Which begs a different question. Why do we glorify the individuals rather than the ideals? Why do we assume noble documents must have been written by noble men? Maybe it is because we are still learning to separate the message from the messenger. And maybe it is time we did. Across the world, archaeological sites older than recorded history show evidence of human societies that lived in relative harmony. No weapons, no mutilated bones, no signs of systemic conflict. These cultures pre-date our textbooks by thousands of years, yet they seemed to understand something we keep forgetting. A civilization is shaped not by its heroes, but by its worldview. Not by its leaders, but by the lens through which its people perceive life. And when you humanise this, you discover that what we call “worldview” is simply the collective psyche, the sum of our shared assumptions, stories, fears, hopes, and ways of making meaning. Over time, that collective psyche crystallises into what we recognise as culture: the habits, norms, values, and emotional tone through which a society orients itself. Change the psyche, and you change the culture. Change the culture, and the systems follow. The ancients encoded their wisdom in symbols, stories, and archetypes. The Founders encoded theirs in parchment. We, today, encode ours in systems that too often mirror the very self-interest we wish to transcend. Perhaps the issue is not that modern politics is broken. Perhaps the truth is more uncomfortable. The system has never truly worked, at least not in the way we might have hoped it would. It has produced progress in some domains, yes, but it has never delivered the harmony, dignity, and shared belonging that our species longs for. So maybe it is time to lift the lens. To stop idolising the past and start learning from those who came before the past we remember. To move beyond personalities and return to principles. To recognise that it is absolutely possible for humans to live well together, for we have done it before. And the clues are everywhere for those willing to learn the language of metaphor, the grammar of symbols, the architecture of meaning encoded in myth. And perhaps this is where the ideals of the Enlightenment themselves can guide us forward. The French articulated them simply, liberté, fraternité, égalité, freedom, fellowship, and equality. Values Franklin knew intimately, Adams admired deeply, and Jefferson echoed, at least in theory, through “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” These were not merely political slogans. They were early attempts to articulate the three foundational human needs in a form that a society could honour within the collective. Liberté connects with our need for agency, to act, to choose, to participate as a creator in one’s own life. In essence, to author one’s own life. Fraternité connects with our need for belonging, to be understood, to exist in mutual recognition, and to be held in right relation. Égalité connects with our need for dignity, to stand equal in worth to all others, in the assurance that every human being holds equal entitlement to take part in the great project of creation. Seen this way, these values do not merely align with social aspirations, they echo something much deeper. They mirror both essential human needs and the three foundational Universal Design Principles that govern harmony and evolution throughout the cosmos. Everything is creation. Before something, there is nothing. In between nothing and something lies an act of creation. All creation occurs through relationship. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is Einstein’s Theory of Relativity in action. Because all creation occurs through relationship, we must therefore do no harm. We choose to enact in ways that create mutual beneficence. We can see these principles everywhere if we choose to look. We gaze into the night sky, and we do not witness chaos. We see a symphony of relation, planets in elegant orbital dance, stars co-moving in gravitational embraces, galaxies sweeping through space in spirals of astonishing beauty. The dynamism is immense, even extreme in magnitude. Earth spins at 1,600 km/h, completing one rotation every 24 hours. Every half-year, it tilts 44 degrees, breathing heat and cool across hemispheres. It races through space at 107,000 km/h around the Sun. Our solar system moves at 720,000 km/h around the galaxy. And the Milky Way itself travels at 2,100,000 km/h through the cosmic sea. And yet, with all this unimaginable velocity, harmony prevails. Not through control, not through domination, but through right relationship, each body respecting the integrity and path of the others. This is the quiet teaching the cosmos offers. Coherence emerges not from rigidity, but from relation. Not from stasis, but from dynamic balance. Not from domination, but from proportionate participation. When liberté, fraternité, and égalité are understood through this lens, they cease being political slogans. They become recognitions of the same principles that shape stars and galaxies, and sustain our deepest human longings, the freedom of agency, the sharing of understanding, and the experience of harmony through loving regard for oneself and the world at large. These are not soft ideals. They are the operating instructions of the universe. And perhaps that is the simplest explanation for why ancient societies, those grounded in symbolic and ecological alignment rather than legal complexity, were able to live with such coherence. Their societies did not rely on labyrinthine rulebooks or endless legislation. They patterned their cultures not on hierarchy, but on harmony that kept communities in right relation with one another and with the world around them. Consider Göbekli Tepe in modern-day Turkey, dating back nearly 10,000 years. A massive ceremonial site, older than Stonehenge and older than the pyramids, built by people who, as far as we can tell, lived cooperatively and with strikingly little evidence of conflict or domination. No weaponry. No fortifications. No signs of systemic violence. Just sophisticated architecture, symbolic art, and an orientation toward the sacred. Perhaps this is the clearest clue of all. When a culture is grounded in simple, universal principles, harmony becomes the default, not the exception. And perhaps this is where our modern longing meets ancient truth. As Gandhi reminded us, there is no path to peace, peace is the path. But like all paths, it must be walked inwardly before it can ever be expressed outwardly. What we cultivate within becomes what we perceive without, the quiet law of reciprocity at work. This is captured rather emphatically in the philosopher and mathematical prodigy Blaise Pascal’s assertion that “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” And this invitation to cultivate inner peace is not merely a spiritual ideal, it is a practical responsibility. For a society cannot exceed the consciousness of the people who comprise it. Outer peace is never imposed, it is expressed. It emerges when enough individuals learn to sit in stillness, witness their own inner landscape, and develop the emotional and perceptual clarity required to live in right relation with themselves and the world. This has always been humanity’s quiet work. Long before constitutions, parliaments, and political philosophies, the wisdom keepers of every age understood that the quality of a civilisation rests not in its institutions but in its inner life, the stories it tells, the symbols it honours, and the state of being it cultivates within its people. And nowhere is this wisdom more faithfully preserved than in the arts. Across cultures and centuries, it is the artists, the bards, the poets, the philosophers, the musicians, who have carried the perennial teachings of how to live well. Shakespeare knew it. So did Rumi, Lao Tzu, Maya Angelou, and countless unnamed storytellers who understood that we learn not only through reason, but through resonance. Perhaps this is why music touches us so deeply. It is not merely entertainment, it is a mechanism of remembrance. A melodic echo of the inner ideals we instinctively recognise as true. Songs like Imagine and One Love do not move us because they are catchy, they move us because they speak to something ancient within us, something we long to live but struggle to embody. Yet over time, even the most profound wisdom can become wallpaper. Lyrics that were once invitations become bumper stickers. Melodies that were once calls to unity become background noise. And in that fading of attention, we lose something quietly essential, the courage to live in alignment with the truths we claim to love. And still, the clues remain. Artists like Lennon, Marley, and Marvin Gaye, Coltrane and Leonard Cohen, and rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam, all musical sages whose work reads like scripture for the modern soul, continue pointing us toward what is possible when we choose wise relation with ourselves and one another. Maybe the real work now is simply to listen again. Not with our ears, but with an open mind and some open-hearted awareness. Not as jingles, but as invitations. And perhaps this brings us back to where we began. We idolise the architects of our political past not because their lives were perfect, but because the ideals they gestured toward still call to something noble within us. Yet ideals do not live by admiration alone. They live through embodiment, through the choices we make, the systems we tolerate, and the conscious awareness we bring to the smallest details of daily life. To “beware our idols” is not to reject them. It is to recognise that the frameworks they offered and the values they shared can only be completed by us. For every generation inherits both the stories its culture tells and the structures it upholds. And too often, we accept systems that reflect our fears rather than our possibilities, systems built on scarcity, suspicion, and the quiet belief that human beings must be managed, not trusted. But nothing in nature supports such cynicism. The cosmos itself functions through trust, a trust grounded not in naïveté, but in right relationship. Every force, every orbit, every movement participates in a larger harmony that asks only this, play your part well, and allow others to do the same. In this light, the question is no longer, Why were our ancestors not better men? The more vital question becomes, how will we respond to the inheritance they left us? Will we live beneath the ideals they inked, or rise to meet them? Gandhi understood this with crystalline clarity, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This lays the foundation for the very world you inhabit to change with you. It is the beginning of every cultural shift, every groundswell, every movement that reshapes the world from the inside out. If we long for societies grounded in dignity, harmony, and right relation, then we must cultivate those qualities within ourselves, patiently, imperfectly, wholeheartedly. For outer peace is simply inner peace, expressed at scale. And so the invitation is simple. Lift the lens. Examine the stories you carry with curiosity. Notice the systems you support. Dare to embody the values you admire. Become the citizen your ideals require. As Bob Dylan aptly noted, “The times, they are a-changin'”, and we each hold the quiet power to guide their direction, becoming architects of the world we wish to live in through the values we choose to embody. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Justin Edgar Justin Edgar, Coach Justin Edgar is a life and breathwork coach, speaker, and creator of The Art of Creative Flow, a transformational program helping individuals, leaders, and teams move beyond burnout and reconnect with purpose, creativity, and resilience. With a unique background spanning financial markets, Montessori education, wellness entrepreneurship, and somatic practice, Justin brings rare depth and insight to his coaching. His work empowers clients to harness clarity, intuition, and creative flow as tools for personal and professional breakthroughs.

Written by Nina Darmeci, Award-winning Choreographer & Licenced Zumba Instructor Nina Darmeci is a celebrated choreographer and the founder of Nina's Choreography, known for making dance accessible and empowering. She is a multi-award winning wedding choreographer and licensed Zumba instructor. She is known for her unique approach that helps dancers of all levels gain confidence and joy in movement. With over 30 years of experience in the dance industry, I have transformed countless special moments into unforgettable performances, including the legendary Indian national cricketer Ashish Nehra’s entire family wedding. My signature style? Simple, graceful, and elegant choreography that feels effortless and natural. I believe choreography does not have to be complicated to be impactful. What truly makes a performance shine is the emotion behind it, the laughter, the love, and the connection you share with your family and friends. Whether it is a dreamy bridal entry, a romantic first dance, a high-energy groom’s or bride’s squad performance, or a show-stopping family flashmob, I specialise in creating moments that are not only fun to perform but unforgettable to watch. And if you are looking to add an extra Bollywood sparkle to your wedding festivities, my Bollywood dance workshops are always a crowd favourite. Wedding choreography tips Pick songs that tell your story: Your first dance should feel personal and meaningful to you as a couple. Plan ahead: Start at least 6 months before the big day so you can enjoy the process without last-minute stress. Mix it up: Blending songs keeps the energy alive and avoids monotony. Keep it short and sweet: Aim for a 2 to 2.5-minute playlist, just enough to wow the crowd without losing their attention. Add contrast: Combine a slow romantic track with a fun upbeat number for an unforgettable first dance. Get the family involved: Family performances are always show-stoppers, adding love, laughter, and extra sparkle to your evening. Dance is about creating memories, make your wedding performances one to remember! Email: ninaschoreography@gmail.com Contact: 07361 844654 Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Nina Darmeci Nina Darmeci, Award-winning Choreographer & Licenced Zumba Instructor Nina's Choreography, founded by Nina Darmeci, is led by a licensed Zumba instructor and award-winning wedding choreographer with over 30 years of experience. Nina believes that the first dance should be fun and enjoyable for everyone. She has worked with renowned artists like Farah Khan, Sushant Khatri, and Jamie Lever, and has choreographed major events including the wedding of Indian cricket star Ashish Nehra's family. Beyond dance, Nina is passionate about community service, charity work, and helping people feel confident through movement. Her warm and supportive teaching style makes it easy for anyone to learn and enjoy dancing, no matter their experience. Join Nina's Choreography and discover the joy of movement.

Written by Arianne Ortiz, Ayurvedic Specialist and Intuitive Healer Expert Arianne Ortiz is known for her Intuitive Healing and Ayurvedic work. She is the founder of The Art of Healing, a holistic wellness company dedicated to guiding and supporting others in strengthening the mind-body connection, deepening spiritual healing, and releasing the blocks that prevent them from living their fullest, most radiant life. Do you ever feel like the weight of the world has quietly climbed onto your shoulders and hitched a ride, uninvited, and suddenly you’re carrying more than you remember picking up? You’re not alone. Globally, more than half of adults report feeling weighed down by daily stress, uncertainty, and emotional overload. Stress has become an integral part of our everyday lives. It can rise slowly, like a background hum of tension, or strike suddenly as a trauma response to a single triggering moment. Through the lens of Ayurveda, stress is not just emotional, it is physical, mental, and energetic, and at the root, it is a disruption of balance in the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurveda doesn’t ask, “How do we eliminate stress?” Instead, it asks a much more compassionate and realistic question: How do we support the mind, body, and spirit to move through stress with grace? The journey can feel challenging at first, especially if you’re used to powering through or ignoring your body’s signals. But it doesn’t have to remain difficult. When we understand our inner landscape, we create space for healing, resilience, and freedom. Know your mind-body makeup Your Ayurvedic body constitution, or Prakriti, is your personal blueprint. It determines: How you metabolize life What imbalances are you most prone to How you process emotions how you naturally show up in the world Prakriti does not change. Your mind makeup, however, can shift based on your environment, trauma, lifestyle, and life stages. Most people are led by two primary doshas, while the third plays a quieter role, still part of the team, just not on the front line. Each dosha expresses stress differently. When you understand your unique makeup, you stop fighting your nature and start supporting it. Ayurveda reminds us that you are not one-size-fits-all, and neither is your healing. How Ayurveda supports you through stress food as medicine When your diet supports your dosha balance, the body becomes more resilient. Even “healthy foods” can disturb the system if they don’t align with your digestion and doshas. Ayurveda teaches you what to favor, what to avoid, and how to nourish your body so your energy rebuilds rather than scatters. Strengthening your mind-body awareness: Ayurveda sharpens your inner listening. It teaches you to notice the subtle shifts, dryness, irritability, heaviness, overthinking, and disturbed sleep before they turn into deeper imbalances. Aligning with nature: When you live in rhythm with nature’s cycles, sunrise, sunset, seasons, and mealtimes, your body’s inner intelligence gets activated. This is where self-regulation and self-healing naturally occur. Leading with compassion: Compassion softens the nervous system. It shifts how we metabolize stress and how we respond to life’s challenges. When you lead yourself with compassion, the body stops reacting to every small disruption and begins to trust your inner guidance. Lifestyle for balance: Understanding the dosha seasons, life stages, and the energetic times of day empowers you to maintain emotional and physical equilibrium. When you know what phase you’re in, stress no longer feels like a surprise, it becomes something you’re prepared to meet. Know what resets work for you: When the nervous system detects stress, it activates the fight, flight, or freeze response. While essential for survival, chronic activation pushes the doshas into long-term imbalance. Resetting sends a simple message to your body: you are safe. You can soften. You can breathe again. Here are some powerful resets I use personally and with clients in my intuitive healing and Ayurvedic practice: Step away from the stressor: If a conversation or environment tightens your body, it is okay to pause and step away. A simple “excuse me” can create space for regulation. EFT/TFT tapping: Tapping on points like the collarbone, eyebrow, or crown of the head interrupts the stress pattern and calms the nervous system. Pairing this with affirmations like “I am safe” reinforces the shift. Earthing/grounding: Walking barefoot outside instantly reconnects you with nature and stabilizes vata energy. If you can’t remove your shoes, place a hand on your heart as you stand beside a tree, even a small one on a city sidewalk. Nature doesn’t judge the setting, it simply supports. Meditation: Meditation changes how the brain responds to stress. Even 10 minutes a day can soften reactivity, increase clarity, and enhance resilience. Whether it’s mantra repetition, guided meditation, transcendental practice, or simply listening to nature, the key is consistency and curiosity. Connecting with spirit guides and higher self: Your spirit team is always present, supporting your highest good, guiding you gently, and offering clarity when you feel lost. In my intuitive healing sessions, clients learn to connect with these unseen but powerful resources to navigate stress with trust rather than fear. Start your journey today Stress can feel heavy, immobilizing, and overwhelming. But it does not have to define your experience of life. When we understand our mind-body makeup and embrace tools that support our unique pathways to balance, we begin to walk through stress differently, with clarity, compassion, and grounded awareness. You deserve to move through life feeling supported, not strained. If you’re ready to create a new relationship with stress, to reset your system, and to step into balance from the inside out, I invite you to book a comprehensive wellness consultation. Let’s begin your journey toward a more centered, aligned, and empowered you, one softened stress level at a time. Book here. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Arianne Ortiz Arianne Ortiz, Ayurvedic Specialist and Intuitive Healer Expert Arianne Ortiz is a specialist in Intuitive Healing and Ayurvedic Medicine. Her experiences in childhood and early adulthood inspired a deep personal healing journey that awakened her soul’s purpose—to guide others on their spiritual, emotional, and physical paths to wholeness. She has devoted her life to educating, supporting, and empowering others to ignite their inner radiance and live unapologetically authentic lives, blending ancient wisdom with modern living.

Written by Dee Mani, Cannabis & Natural Health Consultant Dee Mani is a holistic healing advocate and founder of My Way CBD, who transformed her life after overcoming an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis using natural remedies. She is an author, entrepreneur, and speaker dedicated to empowering others through the healing potential of cannabis and holistic wellness practices. Every December, people tell themselves the same lie, “I’ll rest in January.” But biology doesn’t care about tradition. The nervous system doesn’t postpone stress for the new year. And the immune system certainly doesn’t wait for Santa to finish his rounds. So while the world wraps gifts and sings carols, millions of people quietly fall apart, physically, mentally, emotionally, and they think it’s normal. They think it’s “just winter,” or “just the flu,” or “just stress.” It’s not. December exposes every imbalance you’ve ignored. And your body, in its infinite intelligence, uses this season to send the messages you weren’t listening to all year. This is the Christmas Crash. And whether you’ve lived through it or not, your biology understands it well. The biology of December burnout: When stress becomes a season Science is clear on this. The body is not built for constant acceleration. Yet December is the month humans push themselves the hardest. 1. Cortisol overload End-of-year deadlines, financial pressure, festive expectations, shopping stress, travel, hosting, and family dynamics all spike cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol: Suppresses the immune system Increases inflammation Disrupts sleep Worsens anxiety and mood swings Dampens digestion Slows healing Your body isn’t “failing.” It’s overwhelmed. 2. The immune system dips, not because of cold weather Colds and flu don’t spike because it’s December. They spike because: People are stressed People are sleep-deprived People are indoors, with low vitamin D People are eating inflammatory holiday foods People are emotionally overwhelmed People stop moving People ignore early symptoms Your immunity is a mirror of your lifestyle, not the calendar. And what we call “the flu” is often your body detoxing after months of stress, poor sleep, and inflammatory habits. 3. The endocannabinoid system gets depleted Your ECS , the body’s master regulator of stress, inflammation, sleep, mood, and immune balance, takes a direct hit in December. Why? Because stress consumes endocannabinoids faster than you can replenish them. A dysregulated ECS looks like: Feeling “on edge” for no reason Poor sleep Tension headaches Digestive issues Emotional reactivity Low stress tolerance Feeling disconnected from yourself December exposes this imbalance brutally. The emotional weight of Christmas: Why this season hits the nervous system hard People talk about Christmas as if it’s universally joyful. It isn’t. Christmas triggers unresolved trauma . For many, December is: A reminder of who isn’t here A reminder of childhood wounds A reminder of dysfunctional family dynamics A reminder of pressure, guilt, or expectations A reminder of financial strain The nervous system doesn’t differentiate between past emotional pain and present stress. It responds the same way, fight, flight, freeze. The myth of festive perfection makes people unwell. The pressure to “perform happiness” is one of the most biologically stressful things you can do. Pretending you’re okay when you’re not is a full-body stressor. You override your signals. You suppress your emotions. You disconnect from your intuition. That disconnection is the fastest route to burnout. Why modern holiday culture works against human biology Humans were not designed for: Overconsumption Overstimulation Artificial lights until 3 a.m. Emotional masking Ultra-processed holiday foods Alcohol on repeat Zero solitude Constant social performance We were designed for: Slowness Connection Nourishing food Darkness and rest Heartfelt relationships Reflection Seasonal rhythms Emotional honesty Christmas used to be a time of restoration. Now it’s a performance. And the body pays for the ticket. Your nervous system: The true Christmas miracle worker Forget the gifts, the decorations, the social pressure. The real magic of Christmas is the moment your nervous system feels safe. When safety returns to the body: Immunity strengthens Digestion restores Hormones balance Sleep deepens Anxiety quiets Energy rises Creativity returns Human connection becomes effortless This isn’t “woo.” It’s pure biology. The nervous system dictates every experience you have, including whether you actually enjoy Christmas or simply endure it. What your body is really saying when you get sick in December Contrary to popular belief, your body isn’t attacking you. It’s communicating. A December cold? Your immune system is asking for rest, and your body is detoxing from months of stress and overload. A mood crash? Your nervous system is begging for regulation. Digestive issues? Your gut is saying, “Please stop giving me food I can’t process.” Fatigue? The body is demanding a reset. Pain flare-ups? Inflammation signals a year of unreleased emotional weight. Symptoms are intelligence. Discomfort is information. Your body is not malfunctioning. It’s responding. How to protect your body from the Christmas crash Here’s how to enter the festive season without sacrificing your health, your energy, or your sanity. 1. Plan rest like an appointment December rest isn’t optional. Block it in your calendar. Treat it like a meeting with your future self. 2. Simplify everything Your nervous system loves simplicity. Ask yourself: “Do I need to do this?” “Is this obligation real or conditioned?” “Does this bring joy or just stress?” If it’s not essential or meaningful, it’s gone. 3. Reduce stimulants, not just calories Instead of worrying about food guilt, focus on: Reducing caffeine Reducing sugar Reducing alcohol These three alone transform your holiday biology. 4. Give your body signals of safety Daily practices that regulate your nervous system: Deep diaphragmatic breathing Vagus nerve stimulation Grounding outdoors Warm baths or showers Low-intensity movement, walking, stretching, and Pilates Journalling CBD for endocannabinoid replenishment to support calm and balance These shift the body out of fight or flight faster than willpower ever could. 5. Nourish your ECS and immune system You don’t need perfection, you need balance. Focus on: Omega-3s Hydration Mineral-rich foods Real vegetables Quality sleep Morning sunlight Slowing down eating Small actions compound massively in December. 6. Allow yourself to feel what the season brings Not every Christmas is merry. Some are tender. Some are painful. Some are reflective. Some are peaceful. Some are heavy. Some are full of joy you didn’t expect. All of it is human. Emotional honesty is one of the most powerful forms of nervous system regulation. The Christmas you deserve is not found in a shop It’s found in: A regulated nervous system A balanced immune system A calm mind A body that feels safe Relationships rooted in truth, not performance Moments of presence Boundaries that protect your peace A slower pace than the culture encourages The holidays were never meant to be a marathon of self-betrayal. They were meant to be a homecoming, to yourself. This December, your job isn’t to “survive the season.”It’s to finally understand your biology enough to honour it. Because the real Christmas miracle is this, "When you stop abandoning your body, it stops screaming for help." And the gift that returns is your health, not in January, but now. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dee Mani Dee Mani, Cannabis & Natural Health Consultant Dee Mani is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and holistic healing advocate who defied the odds by overcoming aggressive breast cancer through natural remedies, including cannabis. As the founder of My Way CBD, she is passionate about empowering others to explore alternative healing methods. Dee's journey from illness to wellness inspires her writing, where she shares insights on natural health, wellness, and the transformative power of nature. Follow her work to discover how to harness holistic practices for a healthier, more balanced life. See here for more info!

Written by Sheila Marina, Energy Healer Sheila Marina is an Energy Healer and the founder of Planet of Peace Energy Healing, a holistic practice offering emotional release and energy healing. With over 35 years of experience, she helps others restore balance through The Emotion Code, mind-body techniques, and compassionate leadership. At the age of 41, I returned to school in the evenings with a clear intention. I was going to earn a psychology degree and better understand the human mind. I enrolled at York University, full of curiosity and ambition. Somewhere along that academic journey, I was introduced to a concept that would quietly stay with me for years, long before I understood how profoundly it connected to my life’s work. It was the work of Fathali M. Moghaddam , who spoke about how human beings live according to internal “meaning systems.” These are the invisible frameworks through which we interpret our experiences, relationships, identity, worth, and safety. At the time, I found the concept fascinating. Years later, I now see it as foundational to everything I do as an energy healer. Today, I am deeply in love with helping people release trapped emotions. I am equally in love with teaching others that the body already knows how to heal itself. And I am unwavering in my belief that the words we use to describe our lives become biological instructions to the body. At no time of year is this more clearly revealed than at Christmas. We do not live by events, we live by meaning According to the theory of meaning systems, we do not simply react to circumstances. We respond to what those circumstances mean to us. Two people can experience the same family gathering, the same holiday table, the same absence of a loved one, yet have completely different emotional reactions. Why? Because each person is living from a different internal meaning system shaped by childhood experiences, family roles, trauma, culture, and unspoken emotional agreements. This idea mirrors what many modern healing and psychology professionals now describe, healing that goes far beyond symptom management alone. Some meaning systems sound like this: “I must keep the peace to be loved.” “My needs come last.” “Holidays mean sacrifice.” “I’m only valuable when I’m useful.” “If I rest, I’m lazy.” These belief structures form quietly, often before we have language for them. They then follow us into adulthood, into our relationships, our careers, our health, and especially into emotionally charged seasons like Christmas. Christmas as an emotional amplifier Christmas has a beautiful way of awakening generosity, love, and connection, but it also has an equally powerful way of activating unresolved emotional material. For many, Christmas stirs: Grief for those no longer present Family wounds that never fully healed Financial pressure and silent worry Loneliness beneath forced cheer Exhaustion from over-giving The ache of unmet expectations Our meaning systems decide, automatically, how we interpret and respond to all of it. This mirrors the deeply psychological ways our perception can be shaped and even destabilized. One person’s nervous system hears, “This is family time.” Another hears, “This is survival time.” And the body responds accordingly. The words we use become the body’s instructions In my healing practice, I listen not only to what people feel, but to what they say about their lives. “I have to get through it.” “This always happens to me.” “I’ll survive somehow.” “That’s just how I am.” “It’s too late for me.” Language shapes emotional reality. When we learn how to reframe our words , the nervous system begins to reorganize itself. When words contradict truth, when the soul knows one thing but language speaks another, energy becomes trapped. This is not weakness. It is an intelligent adaptive response. The body already knows how to heal One of the most beautiful truths I have witnessed again and again is this. The body does not need to be forced into healing. It simply needs permission. When trapped emotions clear, the nervous system naturally reorganizes. The breath softens. The shoulders drop. The thoughts quiet. The heart begins to feel safe again. This aligns deeply with the growing understanding that recovery requires listening to the body , not overriding it. We do not need to relive trauma in order to release it. We do not need to suffer in order to be worthy of peace. Letting go of old emotional armour Many people arrive at Christmas carrying emotional protection they built long ago. Letting go does not mean breaking. It means softening. And we are also being invited into a new understanding of emotional authenticity beyond forced positivity . A Christmas invitation (not a prescription) This Christmas, instead of trying to fix yourself, I offer you a softer invitation: What meaning am I carrying into this season? Whose emotional weight am I still holding that no longer belongs to me? What word do I want my body to live by this winter? Rather than survive or endure, perhaps the body is ready to learn, receive, rest, soften, and belong. This is the same inner reorientation that allows pain to transform into purpose . And as the year closes, many of us are also being called into true emotional completion. A gentle closing Christmas will always carry emotion. Beneath every reaction is a story. Beneath every story is a meaning. And beneath every meaning is a body quietly asking to be heard. If this season feels heavy, you are not broken. You are human. And healing does not demand perfection, only willingness. May your words this Christmas be kinder to your body. May your body feel safe enough to exhale. And may your meaning systems gently evolve toward peace. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sheila Marina Sheila Marina, Energy Healer Sheila Marina is an Energy Healer with over three decades of experience guiding others toward emotional freedom and inner peace. Rooted in 35 years of service in child and family support, she founded Planet of Peace Energy Healing, a sanctuary for healing, release, and renewal. Blending The Emotion Code, The Body Code, The Belief Code, and Reiki, Sheila offers a path to transformation that honors both the wisdom of the body and the whispers of the soul. A former Area Director with Toastmasters and group facilitator with Sashbear.org , she brings a compassionate presence to every step of the healing journey. Her mission is to help others reconnect with their truth and move forward with clarity, peace, and purpose.

Written by Elena Malkova, Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert Elena Malkova is a Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert helping leaders build and steer inclusive, high-performing multicultural teams. With 25+ years of international experience, she empowers organizations to turn cultural differences into strategic strengths. What if your Christmas gift was silently pushing your talent out the door? In diverse teams, end-of-year recognition is not a small operational detail, it is a cultural signal with real impact on trust, connection, and retention. Why Christmas recognition matters more in multicultural workplaces Every December, leaders face the same challenge, selecting a Christmas gift that will satisfy an increasingly diverse workforce. What often appears to be a simple gesture, a present, a voucher, a festive token, becomes surprisingly complex in multicultural organisations. Across Europe, North America, and sectors like trade, logistics, production, technology, and professional services, organisations are becoming global communities. Talent now arrives with different languages, different traditions, and different expectations of leadership. In these settings, end-of-year recognition becomes far more than seasonal decoration. It becomes a form of communication. For many international employees, especially those living far from their home culture, a Christmas gesture can hold emotional weight. It is a moment that reflects whether they are seen, valued, and included, or simply part of an operational headcount. Research underscores the importance of this moment. Gallup shows that employees who feel appreciated are twice as likely to stay with their employer. McKinsey’s work on belonging illustrates that a strong sense of inclusion can cut turnover intention by more than half. Deloitte continues to highlight recognition as a core driver of motivation and engagement, particularly for younger and international talent. The question for leaders is not only, "What should we give?" It is, "What does this gift say about who we are as an organisation, and who we want to be?" What makes a Christmas gift meaningful across cultures? What feels thoughtful in one culture can feel indifferent in another. A Christmas gift, especially in international teams, carries layers of meaning shaped not only by personal preferences but by cultural expectations about appreciation, hierarchy, and relationships. In Japan or China, where communication tends to be subtle and relational, the value of a gift lies in the intention behind it. The wrapping, the symbolism, and the elegance are all part of the experience. A practical but impersonal item may feel rushed or transactional. Move north into Europe, and the meaning shifts. Employees in the Netherlands, Germany, or Scandinavia often prefer something useful, modest, and fair for everyone. A gift that is overly symbolic may feel extravagant or unnecessary, fairness and consistency carry more weight than emotional expression. In many collectivist cultures across Latin America, Africa, or Southeast Asia, Christmas is centred around family and community. A gesture that acknowledges this, even something small for the household, often has a profound emotional impact. And in cultures where hierarchy shapes workplace relationships, such as parts of Asia, France, or Eastern Europe, a gift from leadership is not just customary. It is a meaningful acknowledgment of contribution, effort, and commitment. These differences aren’t challenges, they are leadership opportunities. When leaders understand the cultural lenses through which gifts are interpreted, a single end-of-year gesture becomes a powerful message of inclusion, respect, and cultural intelligence. The hidden messages leaders send with their end-of-year gifts A Christmas gift speaks. It always has. A thoughtful gesture communicates gratitude, appreciation, and belonging. It tells people they matter. It reflects leadership intentions even when no words are exchanged. But the opposite is also true. A generic, impersonal gift, especially one selected quickly or copied from previous years, sends a different message. Employees may interpret it as minimal effort, a lack of awareness, or even disrespect. In multicultural organisations, where communication styles and expectations differ, these signals can become amplified. A small gesture becomes a lens through which employees interpret the organisation’s culture. A €20 personalised gift with an authentic message often creates more loyalty than a €75 voucher that feels anonymous. “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa Why multicultural teams react differently to generic gifts Over the years, I’ve observed a consistent pattern, the more culturally diverse a team is, the more varied the emotional reactions to a Christmas gift become. At one international organisation, the leadership team chose a sleek, minimalist present, inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, confident it would please the entire workforce. Employees in Northern Europe loved it. It felt stylish, modern, and aligned with the brand. But several colleagues from Asia quietly expressed disappointment. To them, the gift felt flat, lacking symbolism, intention, or emotional thought. “Beautiful, but empty,” one person described it. Meanwhile, their Latin American coworkers wondered why the gesture felt so formal and uncelebratory for such a joyful season. This pattern repeats itself each year. A “neutral gift” seems safe. But neutrality is rarely neutral. In multicultural environments, generic gifts often fail not because they are wrong, but because they are nothing. They carry no cultural meaning, no personal resonance, no leadership message. When leaders understand the cultural filters through which employees interpret recognition, they can design gestures that genuinely reach people. What leaders often get wrong, and how to fix it One of the most common pitfalls I encounter is when the dominant cultural group within the leadership team shapes the gift for everyone. Their perspective becomes the default, often unintentionally, and the result may fail to resonate with the international workforce. Another mistake is assuming that increasing the budget makes a gift more meaningful. It rarely does. Employees don’t remember the price, they remember the intention. I have seen modest gifts create stronger emotional impact simply because they reflected genuine thought. Tradition is another trap. “We always do it this way.” In evolving, multicultural workplaces, what worked five years ago may feel disconnected today. Gathering feedback, especially from international team leaders, not only prevents misalignment but also shows employees that their perspectives matter. And finally, organisations sometimes overlook colleagues who do not celebrate Christmas. A thoughtful end-of-year gesture should be inclusive, respectful, and sensitive to different beliefs and traditions. The most effective Christmas gifts for multicultural teams The gifts that consistently resonate across cultures share three qualities, they feel personal, they reflect care, and they acknowledge what matters most to the individual. Here are three categories that work particularly well: Personalised gifting options: Giving employees a choice, from culturally diverse or interest-based options, creates autonomy and shows respect for individuality. Experiences instead of items: Shared team lunches, wellbeing days, learning vouchers, or moments of celebration often create stronger memories than physical presents. Gifts that speak to family or personal growth: In many cultures, support for family wellbeing or personal development is perceived as deeply caring and respectful. And of course, the handwritten note deserves a special mention. In culturally diverse teams, where communication must bridge language and emotional nuance, a sincere message from a leader often becomes the most meaningful element of the entire gesture. Small gift, big impact: How Christmas recognition supports retention Belonging is not built into strategy documents. It is built in moments. A Christmas gift, when done with thought, becomes one of those moments. Research confirms the impact: Employees who feel recognised are five times as likely to feel connected to company culture and four times as likely to be engaged.[1] Workplaces with high belonging experience dramatically lower turnover (-50% lower turnover risk)[2] These findings echo what I see across my work with international organisations and multicultural horticulture and agri-food companies. Retention improves when people feel seen, truly seen, by their leaders. How to design a thoughtful Christmas recognition strategy Designing recognition for a multicultural workforce begins with intention. Here are guiding questions for leaders and HR teams: What message do we want this gift to communicate? Appreciation? Connection? Belonging? Values? Have we considered cultural expectations? Engage international team leaders as advisors. Their insights are invaluable. Does this gesture strengthen the connection? Does it bring people closer to the organisation, and to each other? Is it inclusive? Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but everyone appreciates being recognised. Is there a personal touch? Even a simple message can transform the tone and meaning of the gift. And most importantly, "Does this gesture reflect the culture we claim to build?" If not, people notice, even when they stay silent. Recognition doesn’t have to be expensive. It must be intentional, culturally aware, and human. What this means for leaders in 2025 and beyond Multicultural teams are not the future of work, they are the reality of today. As talent becomes more global and more selective, leaders must understand that meaningful recognition is a strategic tool, not a seasonal task. A Christmas gift may seem like a small gesture, but in diverse organisations, it is a powerful cultural signal. Done well, it strengthens trust, belonging, and loyalty. Done poorly, it reveals gaps between intention and experience. In the global competition for talent, leaders who understand the cultural psychology of appreciation will always have an advantage. If you want to explore how meaningful recognition can strengthen retention and belonging in your multicultural organisation, I invite you to connect with me for a short conversation. It often takes only a few insights to shift from generic gestures to thoughtful practices that truly speak to diverse teams and make people want to stay. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Elena Malkova Elena Malkova, Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert With over 25 years of international business experience, Elena Malkova is a Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert, an inclusive leadership advocate, and a speaker. After a successful career in sales and leadership, she founded CC-Development to help organizations embrace diversity and lead multicultural teams effectively. Originally from Russia and now based in the Netherlands, she brings lived experience and academic insight to her work. Her podcast Bending Culture inspires leaders, HR professionals, and global recruiters to bridge cultural gaps and foster productive collaboration. Her mission is to build “we-cultures” where differences become strengths. References: [1] Gallup.com [2] Deloitte United Kingdom

Written by Walé Akíngbadé, Author and Storyteller Walé Akíngbadé is a children's book author and storyteller whose work explores culturally rich themes of identity, courage, imagination, and personal growth. He is the creator of Golden Threads of Inspiration, a collection of allegorical books and music that inspire readers to embrace life’s deeper lessons. How do we hold on to who we are when life piles role upon role on our shoulders? At the book launch event for The Tree That Found Its Roots , a mother's feedback resonated with the human side of me and inspired the artist in me. She shared how she had wept while reading because she had defined herself solely by her titles daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, and suddenly realised she no longer knew who she was outside of them. Her vulnerable confession echoed my own journey and the stories many readers have shared about the book. It also highlights a universal ideology, that when we accumulate so many labels, we emphasise defining ourselves by them so much that we could easily forget to look beneath them to see who we really are. When roles become our identity My earliest lessons in identity came from summers on my uncle’s farm in Ibadan. We dug ponds for tilapia, collected eggs from poultry, and snacked on fruit while elders told stories of cunning tortoises and brave hunters. Those evenings taught me that identity extends beyond labels, it is rooted in the values we carry and share. Values such as curiosity, resilience, empathy, and compassion. Later, when I moved to London as a teenager, I accumulated new titles. For the first time, I was referred to as a black person, later, I also became an engineering student, a music producer through my hobby, an MBA candidate, a start-up founder, and, most recently, an author. Each role revealed a different facet of the same person, mostly from others’ perspectives, yet none defined me completely. The more I clung to titles, the less room I left for curiosity and growth.  Psychologists who study identity development point out that adolescence and early adulthood are natural periods of exploration. Still, there is a danger in assuming that a single role fully captures who we are, especially at a stage of development when parents may be quick to express pride in a momentary phase a child is going through, thereby attaching an expectation for the child to hold on to.  Paulo Coelho writes in Manuscript Found in Accra that there is beauty in simply being, as a flower does, rather than constantly chasing external validation. The Copt, a key character in the story, responds that “Instead, when asked if it feels useful for merely producing the same flowers over and over, the flower replies, 'I am beautiful, and beauty is my reason for living.” The quote illustrates that one's value does not come from utility but from inherent beauty and purpose. Paulo goes on to write, “Don’t try to be useful. Try to be yourself, that is enough, and that makes all the difference.” Why we cling to roles We cling to roles because society rewards consistency and clarity. Social media amplifies this by encouraging us to brand ourselves with neat descriptors. In the workplace, we are often hired and promoted for our ability to perform a specific function. There is comfort in knowing who we are supposed to be, and fear in stepping into the unknown. However, when circumstances change, such as when children leave home, careers pivot, or relationships end, we may feel unmoored. It’s at this point that we typically realise that our identity has been tied to a job description or family role rather than to inner qualities that endure. Creativity as a mirror and a balm Neuroscience research indicates that expressive writing and other creative activities facilitate the processing of complex emotions, integration of experiences, and reduction of stress. For me, composing music and writing stories created a safe space to explore feelings I had hidden behind my professional façade. Characters inspired by folk tales and modern life helped me unearth unresolved emotions and reconnect with the storyteller I’ve always been. Whether through writing, painting or dance, creative outlets offer a judgment-free zone to acknowledge and transform feelings. They remind us that we are more than the sum of our duties and that the act of creation can be a path back to ourselves. Navigating ambition with integrity Ambition is not the enemy of authenticity, the challenge is to strike a balance between drive and self-reflection. Early in my career, I chased promotions and start‑up valuations, sometimes compromising my values. It took conscious practice to ask, 'Why do I want this?' Will this goal ground me or further fragment me? In my forthcoming book, A Merchant’s Tale, the protagonist Yuri faces a similar choice, whether to continue pursuing wealth at the cost of his integrity or honour his values, even if it means turning down opportunities. He discovers, as many of us do, that success devoid of self‑awareness feels hollow. The tree may grow tall, but without deep roots, it will topple in the first storm. Lessons for self‑discovery Living across continents and balancing technical and creative careers has taught me several lessons: Identity is dynamic, not fixed. Our postcode or profession does not define us. Our core values and passions provide continuity through change. Slowing down is wise. In cultures that glorify speed, taking time to reflect and create can feel countercultural. Yet, it is essential for processing experiences and aligning with our purpose. Ambition must align with intention. It’s admirable to strive for excellence, but we should regularly ask: Why do I want this? Will it make me more grounded or more fragmented? Creativity is healing. Channelling struggles into art transforms pain into insight, it may not erase the past, but it reduces its hold and becomes a beacon to others. We belong everywhere and nowhere. Cross‑cultural experiences expand our perspective and remind us that home is defined by the values we carry, not a fixed location. An invitation to parents Self‑discovery is a lifelong conversation between the roles we play and the values we hold. In The Tree That Found Its Roots, the sapling only realises its strength when it sinks deeper into the soil that has always supported it. This children’s story resonated with that mother because it mirrored her own awakening. If you are a parent, it offers a gentle way to explore big questions with your child. Reading together can spark conversations about what truly nourishes us and how our value isn’t tied to the roles we play. Take a moment with your children to reflect on your roots: What values travel with your family through change? Which roles energise each of you, and which ones feel heavy? How can creative expression: drawing, music, journalling, or poetry, etc., help you explore who you are beyond your titles? By nurturing these discussions early, you help your children grow deeper roots in a world that constantly asks them to chase new labels.  You also rediscover parts of yourself that may have been forgotten along the way.  If this story resonates with you, explore The Tree That Found Its Roots together.  It might just open a conversation that changes how you see yourself and how your children see themselves. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Walé Akíngbadé Walé Akíngbadé, Author and Storyteller Walé Akíngbadé is a storyteller, counsellor, and the creator of the Golden Threads of Inspiration series. Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, he learned the value of diligence, family, and storytelling while tending to poultry, gardens, and fish ponds with his older cousins. In his late teens, he moved to London to study engineering and later earned an MBA in Boston, working in tech startups across multiple continents. After a 20-year stint in corporate life, he turned back to music and writing as a form of healing, which eventually led him to pursue an NCFE Diploma in Counselling. Today, he combines business insight, cross-cultural experience, and emotional intelligence to craft picture books and essays that explore identity, resilience, and compassion. Walé now lives in the United Kingdom.