Tag: Life
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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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What I’m Really Curious About After 30 Years of International Work
Don’t wait until you’re shaking in a conference room to realize that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for doing the work that matters.
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Two Tickets to Anywhere: Why Choosing Between Asian Dreams Keeps Me Up at Night
Someone asked me last week where I’d go if I won two airline tickets to anywhere. I laughed and said, “Somewhere in Asia,” then spent the next three days obsessing over whether I meant Japan, India, Malaysia, or Thailand. You know that paralyzing moment when you have too many good options? That’s where I am…
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10 Certainties from 15 Years in Global Development
This is a reflection on hard-won truths from island life and global health work.
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How I Create Comfort in a Life of Constant Change
The Quiet Power of a Portable Sanctuary It was just past 5:00 in the morning in a dim, overheated hotel room in Antananarivo, two decades ago. The air conditioner had stopped working during the night. I lay half-awake. I was mentally rehearsing. This meeting was likely to be one of the most politically sensitive of…
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Retirement Reflections: Stories of Growth and Resilience
A UN professional from Seychelles shares excitement about retirement plans: writing, karate, travel, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
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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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The Collections That Define Us: Books, Trust, and Skills
Discover how three essential collections—books, trusted relationships, and skills—shape professional success and personal growth in our interconnected world.
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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…
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From Conference Rooms to Bamboo Roads: Finding Purpose When Institutions Falter
Several budget freezes have occurred. Delayed fieldwork. The vacant posts were quietly absorbed into the budget as part of “efficiency savings.” The hallway talk shifted—from bold ideas to cautious speculation. “It’s just the cycle,” I was told. “Political winds. We’ve been through worse.” But this time felt different. Foundations were no longer shifting—they were splitting.
L J Padayachy 