We glorify strength until it breaks us.
This piece is for the ones holding it all together — quietly burning out behind the words “I’m fine.”
Because sometimes, the strongest thing you can do isn’t power through — it’s finally admit you need support.

I often think back to my mother’s voice telling me, “Don’t be an Aadu (a goat) that follows blindly. Be the leader of your own life.” I didn’t understand it then, but her words stayed with me, shaping me long before I understood their significance.

Clarity doesn’t arrive fully formed — it emerges the moment we allow ourselves to take that first step. Sometimes, it’s not about having all the answers but giving your inner voice the space to speak again. One quiet shift can turn fog into focus.

I grew up timid—frightened of my own shadow, careful with every step, scanning rooms for approval before I spoke. The loneliness was strong. I carried it into my teens like a worn-out sweater that was too comfortable to throw. By my late teens, I started gathering a little courage, but the old script continued: “if I can just find the right people, the right approval, the right belonging, I’ll be OK”.

Fear doesn’t disappear because we’re strong. It rides with us like a backpack — and resilience is learning to keep moving anyway. In this panel, we explored how to stay grounded when the world feels heavy.

In the arms of a 1,000-year-old Sitka Spruce in Alaska, I felt something beyond words—oneness with nature, with life, and with the divine. Just as a sacred moment in Jerusalem revealed the kindness that flows across all faiths, this ancient tree whispered the same truth: we are all connected.

Resilience isn’t built overnight — it grows from small, intentional shifts. From starting your day with clarity to celebrating micro-wins, here are five simple ways to strengthen your resilience every day

Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in professional growth by enhancing our ability to understand and manage emotions, both in ourselves and others. This skill can significantly improve team dynamics and help us navigate career challenges with greater ease.

As a child, I was terrified of the monsters I imagined lived under my tall teakwood bed. One night, I decided to face the fear. I peeked under—and found nothing. That small act of courage became a turning point. Over time, I learned that fear isn’t always something to run from. Sometimes, it’s the invitation to grow.

“Let’s go, Mom! Stop being so scared, c’mon!” my son said from the back seat, wide-eyed with excitement.

We were living in Santa Clara, just 35 minutes from San Francisco—but for me, that city felt like another world. No GPS, just MapQuest printouts and a deep fear of getting lost.

But he believed in me.

And so I drove. Slowly. Hesitantly. Then again. And again.