I deeply resonate with Elm Grove’s purpose of compassion for all life in respect of the beauty and awe of our natural world. I find the sacred in nature. I don’t put a name to the ‘more than material’, but I find it in nature’s patterns, in trees, running water, open space, sunlight on my face, a soft breeze, riotous colour, and particularly in light – dappled light through trees, sunlight sparkling on water, rays streaming through clouds, the beauty of the natural world. I don’t use spiritual language, but I feel that sense of interconnectedness, of purpose rooted in love and service to others.

When I think about what our world needs, I think of empathy, compassion, community, equity and inclusion. The world needs more understanding. Everyone deserves to be truly seen and valued, to feel safe to be their authentic self, and to have a sense of meaning and purpose. It’s important to try to see through other perspectives (in my life I’ve found reading fiction and literature builds so much empathy) and to be curious about other cultures, stories and ways of living.

I believe it starts with individuals doing the inner work and getting in touch with their values, and then taking action that is aligned with their beliefs. Each one of us needs to work on ourselves and our healing and work to break harmful patterns. That inner work then ripples outwards to those around us.

We need to look beyond the consumerist, capitalistic, superficial world we live in. My generation and those younger live in a constant state of distraction, overstimulation and obsession with image. We’re sold the lie that happiness comes from consumption – we will be happy once we have the latest car, or Botox, or the perfect body, or the latest trend. So many people look for fulfilment in consumerism. Authenticity is seen as ‘cringe’, but I think it’s what we’re all missing. We need to look below the surface, to find a sense of belonging to something more than individualism, a sense of community.

We also need to be aware of the structural forces at play – big business, corporations, billionaires, greed, corruption, the pursuit of profit and power at the expense of humanity and generosity. No one needs to be a billionaire. We can ensure everyone has their basic needs met – housing should be a human right. Many people are too busy trying to survive within this system to have the capacity to focus on the common good or wider change.

The world today is so cynical, and there is good reason for that. My generation has seen hope eroded – leaders acting in self-interest, influenced by lobby groups and donors. We have not seen true leadership that considers future generations. We are faced with the destruction of the natural world and looming climate collapse, witness the horrors of genocide on our phones before scrolling to the next video. It is so easy to become desensitised and hopeless. But the greatest rebellion is to care. I remind myself that cynicism and pessimism are not smart!

Everyone has the power to create positive change in their everyday lives (positive change for others – I am not diminishing structural barriers) – taking action aligned with your values, creating safe and inclusive spaces, connecting with others, and supporting those around you. Every small action counts.

I have found meaning in creativity, in the flow state. Making beauty from pain, following curiosity, moving towards wonder, acting as a vessel for creative essence.

Hold on to a love for the world in all its imperfection, and the fire to make it a better place.

Shine your light – it will ripple outwards.. Keep your spark alive.