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In fraught and divisive times like these, we might need a reminder of how to compassionately connect back to ourselves and approach each moment with fresh eyes. This is the foundation of the beginner's mind. In this article, I offer tips on how we can develop a beginner's mind through openness, wonder and curiosity to see the world as it truly is, while recognizing that our perception is ever-changing as is our state of being.

Courage is an innate human quality that we access when we least expect it, often when we appear to be at our weakest. One can argue that without courage, we would not be able to move forward as a species, let alone confront our own challenges and attain our personal goals. In this article, I explore the meaning and historical significance of courage and delve into why it is essential to resilience.

Growing up Roman Catholic, the belief in the possibility of miracles was ingrained in me since I was a child. Eventually, I distanced myself from adhering to any one organized religion in favour of an all-encompassing spirituality rooted in compassion. One can argue that it is our belief in miracles that powers our resilience, with the hope that somehow these extraordinary blessings might be graced upon us and help us overcome our own adversities and struggles. In this piece, I explain how miracles are more common than we might think and why they are one of the key ingredients of resilience itself.

As a Gen Xer, I grew up in the heyday of contemporary sci-fi. Now that we are a quarter through the 21st century, art is scarily imitating life when we consider the advent of AI and modern space exploration. Moreover, there are ongoing congressional hearings in Washington, D.C., about UAPs. And then, there is interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which is behaving strangely, with one renowned scientist positing that it might be alien technology instead of a common comet. So what happens when science fiction becomes reality or clashes with our sense of reality? What is the truth?

Throughout my previous career in the tech industry, I was lucky to have adept leaders who mentored me and supported my career growth. I’ve also had the opposite. So, what sets apart a true leader from mere titles? In my experience as both a frontline employee and people manager, I’ve learned that there are three key attributes that help foster a healthy work culture: mindfulness, compassion, and happiness. Whether employers realize it or not, leadership style has a direct impact on staff resiliency.

I had the privilege of being a guest on the Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah Ashong, Professional Business Coach. Niiamah guides entrepreneurs on their journey of building successful businesses. He has helped me along mine, and challenged me too. In our conversation, we talk about a variety of topics, including my career journey, my wellness practice, the difference between resilience and survival, and more.

In Part 1 and Part 2, I demonstrated how bestness can distort our perception of reality, can be cruel and oppressive, and block and reverse any progress made by society. I also shined a light on the benefits of pluralism and diversity. In this third and final instalment, I emphasize the importance of breaking free from scapegoating one another, the nature of competition in sport and business, I share tips on embodying excellence and its connection to resilience, and I ponder the path forward for humanity.

As humans, we are voicing our opinions as never before. It’s the kind of freedom of speech that we have never before seen. Throughout history, there were powers that used propaganda to sell the masses an ideal of bestness as a means of manipulation and control. Sadly, this is happening today. In Part 2, I discuss how we have regressed as a society and show where there is hope.

This is the first of an article trilogy.  In Part 1, I explain how technology has contributed to a culture that seeks constant attention and celebrity to be the “best." However, it’s often used as a filter to push bestness over excellence. Bestness has also been used as a weapon throughout history to silence people because of their excellence.

Resilience and survival are terms that are often used interchangeably. Although they are similar, they are distinct. Fabio explains how our perception of reality impacts our state of being and influences whether we approach problems from a place of survival or resiliency.

Fabio explains why the standard definition of resilience is incomplete and misleading as it doesn't factor in the effort behind trying to overcome undesirable circumstances, which doesn't offer any guarantees.

Fabio talks to hosts, Heather Harris and Lauren Walker, about the importance of mindfulness over the holiday season to remain grounded and at peace.