Investing, Defining, Expanding

What does a hyper-achiever tend to do? For this edition, I’ve experimented by weaving together my last five LinkedIn posts into a single ensemble that is PetalTalks Chronicles February: Investing, Defining, and Expanding.

And what does this say interwoven ensemble say about my current thinking—and perhaps yours? Through this, I invite you to reflect on what it means to invest in the future, define yourself beyond circumstances, and expand into new possibilities.

Investing, Defining, Expanding

February is often called the month of love, but beyond the flowers and cards, love is an ongoing journey. It starts with loving ourselves unconditionally, embracing who we are, and allowing the masterpiece within us to shine unapologetically. If there is a 'but' in how you feel about yourself, I invite you to look deeper until the 'but' exists no more.

True investment isn’t just in things or systems—it’s in ourselves, our growth, and the way we choose to show up in the world.

Last week was half-term in England, and I led a six-day Family Learning programme. I designed it to enable families especially the children to express themselves, learn new skills, have fun, feel seen and supported, and achieve something tangible. The creativity was off the charts! One moment that stood out was when children sculpted Superman and a whale out of clay.

This reminded me of what Michelangelo is referenced to have once said: "Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

Have you seen David? I visit Florence often as my husband is from there and each time, we go to Piazzale Michelangelo, where a replica of David stands overlooking the city. My children, when they were little, found endless amusement in the "naked David"—especially with all the aprons featuring his image being sold nearby and I have rightly done the deed and several of friends and family have been recipients of the 'naked David apron'. The remarkable thing and the real lesson is in Michelangelo’s vision—he saw David within the marble and simply revealed him.

Isn't this what investment looks like—believing in what is already there and nurturing it until it shines. Is this not vision and goal setting at its finest?

Back to the Family learning, with the intention of encouraging the children to think about values and self-expression, I asked, “What would you choose to invest in if you were Chancellor for the day?”

Notice the word invest, not spend. That shift in language plants a seed—one that grows into long-term thinking, sustainability, and meaningful returns. Even young minds grasp this when invited into the conversation. They know what they care about. They know what worries them. They know who they want to help. The magic happens when we make them feel seen, heard, and valued. When we turn this into a creative process, shaping a future where they are active participants—not just observers.

Beyond the Classroom Walls

Education, in its truest form, cannot be confined to four walls. As George Santayana said, "A child educated only at school is an uneducated child."

True learning happens in defining moments:

? Through encounters with others

? In the sparks of creativity

? In the struggle of critical thinking

? In the hands-on experience of real-world skills.

It’s the kind of education that awakens curiosity, builds resilience, and expands the mind beyond limitations. This is what I strive for in my work—to create defining moments that go beyond the expected.

"Your life is already artful—waiting, just waiting, for you to make it art.” — Toni Morrison

The Power of Self-Definition

Wangari Maathai’s words resonate deeply:

"You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself. That values itself. That understands itself."

What defines you?

Not the circumstances you were born into. Not the noise of external expectations. But the clarity of knowing yourself, your worth, and the impact you choose to make. As I plan for my #iwd2025 event, Wangari's words echo in my mind. This is the mindset that fuels #AccelerateAction and #IWD2025—not just inclusion for the sake of it, but a movement that amplifies voices, builds bridges, and drives real change and social impact.

“When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in the people who invest in everyone else.” — Melinda Gates

Expanding Beyond the Plateau

If you find yourself on a plateau, unsure of what’s next, consider this:

Plateaus are not stopping points. They are launchpads.

Perhaps this is your moment to expand, to stretch beyond what you know and lean into what’s possible. Perhaps it is a moment of reflection or maintenance.

Maybe it’s time to share your insights, because what you’ve learned could light the way for someone else, or it could be a season to mentor, to lift as you climb.

In my years of guiding and helping others and from my own personal experience, the plataue becoming a pause is where some of the most profound growth comes from. From pausing, reflecting, celebrating, recalibrating before the next leap forward.

As Maya Angelou reminds us, “Your crown has been bought and paid for. Put it on your head and wear it.”

Staying Present, Engaged, and Connected

"Stay present, engaged, and connected to yourself and those around you."

This is my daily operating system. But presence is not passive—it’s a practice. It requires navigating the inevitable hijacks and hijackers that try to pull us off course.

As I sit in #JiveHiveJuliet, planning for #IWD2025, I return to this truth: We have the power to invest, define, and expand—within ourselves, within our communities, and within the world.

Loving ourselves isn’t about waiting for the world to give us permission.

It’s about granting ourselves the space to own our brilliance, to honour the masterpiece within us, and to let it shape the way we live, the actions we take, and the impact we make.

“Do not wait for someone else to come and speak for you. It’s you who can change the world.” - Malala Yousafzai

What is the next step for you?

Is this your time to join this conversation?

Let’s make this the most inclusive, impactful, and defining movement yet.