Throughout our lives, two of the most persistent questions we face are, “Who are we?” and “Who do we want to be?” The quest for identity and purpose is one of our most powerful driving forces. Yet, unfortunately, many of us lack the tools to build a strong foundation for this journey.
 
From a young age, many of us endure trials and tribulations that shake our confidence and sense of self. As we grow into our teenage years, the standards, expectations, and possibilities around us are constantly shifting which can feel extremely overwhelming. Doubts creep in, we begin questioning ourselves, and soon we are burdened with self-limiting beliefs that make us wonder if we should give up hope altogether.
 
In my workshop, Raising Aspirations, it would have been easy to talk about reaching for the stars and achieving dreams without acknowledging the reality that many of us have already faced significant challenges. These experiences leave us uncertain—unsure if we deserve greatness or even have the capacity to achieve it.
 
To truly raise our aspirations, we must first believe that we are worthy of greatness. We must realise that the tests we’ve faced do not define us but instead have the potential to become inspiring testimonies. In the sacredness of sisterhood, we created a space for our fears to be heard and discussed the importance of seeking support from those in positions of responsibility.
 
Most importantly, we reminded ourselves that challenges are stepping stones, not stop signs. With adequate support, good company, and a resilient growth mindset, we are capable of achieving everything we dream of becoming, no matter we may have been told or believe.
 
We expanded our vision of 'aspirations' beyond career goals, imagining futures where we are healthy, happy, loved, and living with purpose. To close, we reflected on the various types of power we wield—the power we have over our own lives, the power to create life, the power within ourselves, and the power of community.