Is happiness a choice and mindset? Five years ago, I would have said no. Back then, mental illness had taken the wheel, and I was simply a passenger.

I built walls and barriers around myself to protect against the hurt, and these walls became a permanent feature in my life. For more than 4 decades, I carried these heavy burdens, allowing my Nevus to define who I was, how I acted, and how I showed up in the world.

But just a couple of years ago, something changed. An amazing human being saw through those walls, seeing the person hiding in the shadows, extending me a hand, showing me a new way forward. A way of thinking that allowed me to embrace my vulnerability and unmask the true person behind the birthmark. This was the turning point, a mindset shift that freed me from the weight of my past and the limitations I had imposed on myself.

If others are responsible for your unhappiness, then you are also dependent on them for your happiness.

The moment I realised that my happiness was within my control, that I had the power to shape it by how I showed up in the world, was the moment that everything changed. Happiness is a reflection of how you use your voice and express yourself. Once you make that shift, you start to dance in your own lane, you create your happiness.

I call this building a Resilient Mindset and Culture, an empowerment that shifts you from being at the mercy of outside forces to taking the reins of your own life. By embracing challenges and obstacles as opportunities for growth, you step into a mindset that turns setbacks into stepping stones. Sometimes we just need to get out of our own way.

I extend my hand to you now, let me guide and support you, your organisation and your teams in fostering a Resilient Mindset and Culture. Together, we can unlock the opportunities hidden in challenges, change and the unknown.

Happiness and Growth are choices. Sometimes, all it takes is the support and guidance of someone to light up the path ahead. Let’s connect and build a brighter future together.