New Beginnings: New Year, New Growth Mark 2:1–12,  “Let us begin this new year with these words of wisdom as motivation: speak up, reach out, and carry your friends toward healing. Together, we are stronger.” Happy New Year, Mavericks! What I’m about to share has been brewing inside me for months. I started putting pen to paper about a month ago, but I discarded several drafts before settling on this version. Now, as the new year gets underway, I find myself reflecting more deeply on what it means to face challenges head-on and come out stronger—what it means to embrace the journey of Becoming Maverick . For many, the new year is a time for quick resolutions and goal-setting. For me, this process has evolved into something longer and more intentional over the past few years. My annual reflection and goal-setting now begins in mid-December and stretches over 30 to 60 days, sometimes ending in February. It’s not just about ticking items off a list—it’s about taking the time to honest...

What are my rights? Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections every individual is entitled to, ensuring dignity, equality, and justice. However, without personal responsibility, the pursuit of rights can become harmful, leading to conflict. True freedom arises when rights are balanced with accountability for our actions. Once Again, It’s About Rights… Or Is It? Once again, the issue of "rights" came up in a conversation with my teenage daughter. It got me thinking about how our education system and ultra-liberal culture place too much emphasis on rights. Now, don’t get me wrong—rights are important—but focusing solely on rights, especially when we demand them at the expense of everything else, can devalue us. When people become obsessed with asserting their rights, they often end up hurting themselves or others. Consider the many wars fought and countless lives lost in the name of "rights." Look at the language used in political discourse today. Phrases li...

 Where do I go from here? “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” — Mark Twain Acknowledging, in the context of a growth mindset, means recognizing where you currently stand without viewing it as your final destination. It’s not about accepting limitations, but about seeing them clearly as a starting point for progress.   Welcome to the Journey, Mavericks Welcome to Becoming Maverick . If you're here, you’re likely someone who questions the status quo and seeks ways to grow—someone who doesn’t settle. That’s what this space is all about challenging ourselves to move forward, not just by leaps, but through small, meaningful steps. And today, I want to share something I’ve been reflecting on—something that I believe can resonate with all of us on this journey. The Struggle with Acceptance   Lately, I’ve been wrestling with the idea of acceptance. When life takes a turn for the worse, or even when something great happens, I’ve often been told, "You need to ac...

Game Changer Continuous Improvement in Everyday Life Discover the power of Kaizen and 5S principles to improve your daily life. From decluttering your home to boosting work productivity, these methods promote continuous improvement, efficiency, and organization. Embrace small changes for big results, and create a more balanced, purposeful, and productive lifestyle. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a business productivity workshop, and the highlight for me was the discussion on Kaizen and the 5S methodology. It struck a chord because, as a believer in continuous improvement, I’ve always believed in starting small and growing with what’s already in your hands. Mavericks, I want to encourage you on your journey by sharing these transformative principles. Kaizen: The Power of Incremental Progress Imagine living life with the belief that everything can be improved, no matter how small the change. That’s Kaizen—a Japanese philosophy that promotes continuous, incremental improveme...

Hero Finding Strength in the Chaos of Life Heroes, villains, and victims—life often pushes us through all these roles. As Mavericks, we aim for balance, but it’s normal to shift between them. The true hero isn’t flawless but strives to find strength and compassion despite life’s chaos. As I continue on this journey of Becoming Maverick , I've learned an important truth: the world expects us to be heroes. Whether it's our families, friends, clients, colleagues, neighbors, or even society at large, there is this unspoken expectation for us to step up and embody everything a hero stands for. We’re supposed to be brave, confident, compassionate, and caring all at once. But where does this ideal come from? More often than not, it comes from a Hollywood version of a hero : someone who is indestructible, invincible, and never falters. However, real life isn’t like that. Real heroes are much more complicated. In my personal struggles, I’ve come to understand that no one is permanently ...

How to Turn Your Weeds into Fertilizer Transforming Problems into Progress "When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable." — Dr. Myles Munroe In life, challenges are like weeds. Misunderstood, they become burdens, but with insight, they transform into opportunities for growth. Just as weeds can nourish soil, our struggles can nourish our growth when we understand their purpose. Before labeling something as bad, seek a deeper understanding—it might just be the fertilizer you need for progress. Embrace challenges, and let them propel you forward. #GrowthMindset Welcome, fellow Mavericks! As I write this, I’m processing it with you. Like you, I am a work in progress. You know that I love sharing my journey of discovery, and today’s hot topic—turning weeds into fertilizer—has been on my mind for the past few weeks. If you've been following my story , you know that I have a background in Nature Conservation, and my favourite way to meditate is through gardeni...