One of the most transformative joys, and equally challenging endeavours, I have undertaken is to rewrite the story of my life.

Crafting a new narrative for ourselves is tantamount to refreshing our identity. Sometimes the shift is dramatic, sometimes subtle, but it's always a journey of self-discovery. As women, this journey often commences by learning to prioritise our needs, especially after years of placing others’ needs above our own.

A crucial step that follows is recognising our true values. Distancing ourselves from societal and familial expectations and honing into our intrinsic beliefs and desires. Beyond this, we dive deeper to understand our innate motivations. Recognising unconscious biases can be unnerving, but it's pivotal. Our bodies sometimes send signals about these biases before our minds can pinpoint them. Such self-awareness leads us to the art of self-reflection – a silent, age-old practice. It's only after embracing these stages that we can re-evaluate our life's current narrative.

A quote from Harley Davidson's marketing team resonates deeply: "When you write the story of your life, don't let someone else hold the pen." Yet, many of us have unknowingly handed over our pens. Parents, faith communities, friends, partners, children – all, even with the best intentions, can inadvertently influence our stories. It’s imperative we regain authorship, irrespective of our age.

To rewrite, we must introspect. Does our current story align with our identified values? If not, we envision a world where it does. What choices and relationships would support our true values? How would we feel if our life story deviated from our core beliefs?

For instance, one of my cherished values is connection. During my tenure on Nauru, confronting my latent racist biases and recognising my white privilege was humbling. Deep down, racism and white privilege advocate disconnection, contradicting my core belief. I revised my perspective, seeing diversity as an asset. Acknowledging differences and valuing them enriched my life and fostered genuine connections.

Each one of us can be the primary author of our life's narrative. Reflect upon your life's tales. Do they mirror your values? Do they fill you with pride or regret? Envision a world where your narrative aligns with your heart's desires. Seize your pen. Write your story, your truth.

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