Tag: Culture
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Discovering Mindfulness in Madagascar’s Countryside
Discover inner peace in Madagascar’s quiet highlands, where rolling hills and red earth paths offer profound solitude away from city noise. A personal journey of self-discovery in rural Madagascar’s understated countryside.
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Why Investing in Experiences is Priceless
The Moment I Almost Didn’t Click “Book Now” My cursor hovered over the button for a solid five minutes. The total at the bottom of the screen kept staring back at me, unblinking: three months in Madagascar, comprehensive itinerary from Antsirabe to Toliara, internal flights, guides, accommodations – the number was eye-watering. I’d just wrapped…
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Discovering True Relaxation: Lessons from My Grandfather
A retiring UN official discovers the difference between managing stress and actually relaxing after 30 years in international diplomacy. Lessons from the Seychelles on finding peace.
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Discovering Adventure: My Tsingy de Bemaraha Experience
Last week at Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar, I discovered something unexpected about myself. I actually enjoy being scared or was it the adventure that I enjoyed.
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The Joy of Writing: Connecting Thoughts and People
What do you enjoy most about writing? Some years ago someone asked me this question over coffee, and I found myself stumbling over the answer. This wasn’t because I don’t love writing. It was because isolating what I love most felt like trying to pick a favorite star. It is a combinations of things that…
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The Power of Authentic Friendships in Professional Life
Discover why authenticity trumps all other friendship qualities through personal stories from island life to international conference rooms.
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Rethinking Development Strategies: Lessons from Mananjary
Sometimes the most important development lessons aren’t found in best practice guides or evaluation reports. Sometimes they’re found in a wooden canoe on a quiet canal. They involve learning to read the currents instead of fighting against them.
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Books That Shaped My Career in International Development
A UN professional from Seychelles shares three transformative books. These books range from a statistics primer to a leadership classic. They have shaped decades of international development work.
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Conversations with Myself: The Power of Self-Reflection
The machete cracks through the green husk with a satisfying thud. Steam rises from fresh coconut water in Toamasina’s market, while coffee beans release their earthy aroma in Antsirabe’s highland air. These aren’t just beverages—they’re invitations to pause and connect authentically. After fifteen years navigating boardrooms from Mumbai to Munich, I’ve learned that transformative conversations…
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Achieving True Work-Life Balance: My Journey
“Finding Solid Ground: My Messy Journey to Work-Life Balance” After years of living out of suitcases and putting work above everything else, I finally learned what balance actually means (spoiler: it’s not about perfect time management). If you’ve ever felt the constant tug-of-war between career demands and personal life, this one’s for you. I get…
L J Padayachy 