Helping others: The biggest inspiration in my journey has been serving humanity. I have always been driven to make a difference in someone’s life. Seeing a person happy or being able to complete a task difficult for them is so uplifting, and making that difference pushes me even more to help humanity on a global scale. People who work to better humanity are also inspirations, and in particular the everyday unsung heroes of this world.
The young generation: Growing up without my parent’s guidance meant I had to make sense of the world as a child myself. It was lonely and confusing! Now I am self-realised, children are my source of inspiration for a better, peaceful world. They are the generation that doesn’t have to grow up with limited conditioned beliefs and can be leaders.
Empowered women: So many amazing women from across the globe influence and inspire me daily. Their hardships and how they have overcome adversity makes me feel like there is hope to make better changes to communities and individuals. We should all work together to empower and educate those that feel isolated or alone in their situation or circumstance.
Spirituality: This has been a huge influence on my journey and healing. I felt lost for such a long time, making sense of my loss, life changing scars and my kidneys at such a young age. A great friend introduced me to different perspectives to make sense of questions I had unanswered. Meditation and self-awareness have helped me gain perspective.
My niece: My four-year-old niece is a great inspiration. As a young girl, I was subjected to many cultural and traditional Indian beliefs. These never sat well as I always questioning things, but I was often ignored or left feeling more baffled with the explanations. My niece doesn’t have to grow up with such conditions and is empowered to make choices for herself without compromising on her integrity.
My parents: My primary source of inspiration. They are not alive today, however their own goals and visions have also merged with mine. They had different upbringings, but their vision was the same. They had a desire to travel and were always helping others. I knew very little of them as I lost them aged 10, however it fills me with love to know I have got this from them. They taught me to never give up and life is too short, so enjoy it.
Stories: People who share their stories inspire me. They have managed to take an isolating experience or situation and been able to inspire by sharing their stories. We all have a story, and if we had more understanding and less judgement, we would have more empowered people working towards positive changes, not only within themselves but others too.
Heroes: I admire many public profile women, from The Suffragettes, Ellen DeGeneres, Dr Maya Angelou to Oprah Winfrey, who have shaped my confidence and acceptance. Through their openness of sharing their story, I too have felt confident to share mine. I have gained acceptance of who I am and my scars; they are a part of me. We all need to celebrate our uniqueness.
Teachers: I am fortunate to have had amazing inspiring teachers both in primary and secondary education. They saw the prospect in me when I didn’t have the self-confidence or self-worth to appreciate them. The way they taught and made education fun helped me with my transferable skills and desire to keep learning.
Self love: One important inspiration which has helped me on this journey is self-love and unconditional love. It had been difficult to implement and practice as I viewed the world with conditions. When I learnt to be kind to myself, so many uncertainties soon became clarity. I was love, I am love and love is all I will be. With love comes compassion, peace, light and joy. My ethos and work centres on these positive qualities.
- Tulsi Vagjiani is a London-based Pilates rehabilitation specialist, motivational speaker, life coach and peer supporter for charities The Katie Piper Foundation and Changing Faces. She is one of the speakers at Lift Effects TELSASA, I Made It event taking place at The Business XChange Hub, 3-5 Landsdowne Road in Croydon on June 23. Visit www.lifteffects.org and www.tulsivagjiani.com for more.
