The big picture: Harnessing inner strength for a positive impact on nature and society

Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on the intricate web that connects everything—the way we see ourselves, the way we move through the world, and how our choices ripple out far beyond what we can see. We are living in times of great transformation. Climate change, biodiversity loss, conflicts, and social injustice demand not just awareness but leadership—leadership rooted in balance, responsibility, and compassion.

This past year, however, has also taught me a valuable lesson: before I can give my energy to the world, I must first nurture myself. We cannot pour from an empty cup. Trying to endlessly keep up with responsibilities, projects, and expectations without taking time to recharge doesn’t work—it leads to exhaustion, disconnection, and a loss of clarity about what truly matters.

?? That realization came into sharp focus last year when, unexpectedly, I received an invitation to join a leadership group under the Spirit of Humanity Forum and the Lotus House. The premise? That true leadership starts from within. That if we want to create real, lasting change, we must first align with our inner values, cultivate resilience, and use our strength with wisdom.

This idea—inner strength as a foundation for external impact—has been on my mind for years. But last autumn, I had the chance to experience it on a whole new level during a work trip deep into the Amazon rainforest.

Standing in the heart of the forest, I felt a clarity like never before. Our world is profoundly interconnected. Every breath we take is tied to the health of ecosystems thousands of kilometers away. Every choice we make—what we consume, what we support, what we fight for—has consequences that extend far beyond our immediate surroundings.

In the Amazon, I witnessed two opposing realities simultaneously: ? The breathtaking beauty and power of nature—an ancient, thriving rainforest teeming with life, colors, and wisdom. ?? The heartbreaking destruction happening in the shadows—trees felled for cattle ranching and soybean farming, mines scarring the land, and indigenous communities fighting for survival.

It was an awakening. Listening to Brazilian experts describe the Amazon’s fragile ecosystem, I couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable truth: Iceland, like every nation, is part of this story. Our consumption, trade agreements, and policies link us to these distant forests. What happens there affects us here, and what we do here shapes what happens there.

We cannot separate ourselves from this responsibility. ??? Nature is not just something “out there.” It is the very fabric of our existence.

This interconnected reality was at the forefront of my thoughts during my leadership group meetings in the fall—highlighting how, as leaders, we must recognize these connections, embrace our responsibility, and actively seek ways to cultivate greater harmony within ourselves and with the Earth.

?? Last weekend, this journey deepened further during an extraordinary retreat in Oxford. Immersing myself in discussions, meditation, and reflections on inner peace, I was reminded of something essential: this is not a solo journey. True transformation happens together. It is built on connection, shared wisdom, and collective courage.

So as I continue on this path, I ask myself—and you: How do we ensure that our leadership is not just about driving change but about sustaining it? How do we create space for reflection, for realignment, for the kind of strength that doesn’t burn out but instead grows stronger over time?