Why ‘success’ is backwards. What I’m learning about slowing down. — There’s an intersection near my home that I walk through first thing every morning. And on the Gold Coast, at 5:30, there are already plenty of cars on the road — we’re a town of early risers and everyone likes to get going. Whether that’s heading off for a sunrise…

Soft skills need a rebrand. — I had a manager once who had a lasting impact on me. On my first day he said to me, “Well, as long as you’ve found the coffee machine, you’re all set”. I know this sounds like something small. But I can’t tell you how much it relaxed me. I’d…

You don’t need to plan a trip to India. — He thought that death had arrived. One day when the Indian sage Sri Ramana Maharishi was sixteen he suddenly became overwhelmed by fear. Thinking that he may truly die, he lay down like a corpse and welcomed the experience. He didn’t die though. He had a profound realization instead. He…

The incredible power of going with the flow — Every morning I complete a coastal hike near my home (pictured above). I watch the ocean from the National Park with its rolling waves, foaming breaks, and tidal churn. It’s the same ocean every day — yet it isn’t. It can never really be the same ocean, because there are…

We don’t need to change the world, just ourselves. — I used to feel anxious every time I came to Byron Bay. Just driving into town made me feel tense and overwhelmed. Something always felt a little off about the place. And I could never put my finger on it. Then I learned a little about the history of the…

Liberate yourself with unlearning. — We know nothing. And that’s the starting point for everything. Let me explain. We are just a spec in the universe As one of 8 billion people, you are a mere pin-drop on this planet, which is a mere pin-drop on the universe. The earth could fit inside the sun 1.3 million times, and our sun is just…

A brass band could pass by and I wouldn’t be bothered by it. — Distractions in meditation used to drive me nuts. Before my current home, I lived with my husband in a beach shack in Mermaid Beach (Australia). We had wooden floors that would creak and groan as you walked the hallway. And the entire house echoed regardless of what room you were…

How to really live your life. — As humans, we’re always looking to move on to the next level. A better job, a new partner, a more interesting city, or a more expensive car. Regardless of what it is, there’s always something we’re yearning for or working towards. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with setting goals and taking…

And what I’ve found that works even better. Don’t get me wrong. I love meditation. It provides a chance to observe the busy mind, see the thoughts, feelings, and emotions for what they are, and gradually gain distance from them. Meditation has helped me to become calmer, more focused, and…